Thailand ramps up fight against online IP infringements

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered the Intellectual Property Department to accelerate measures against online intellectual property (IP) infringements. The proliferation of such violations on digital platforms, he noted, not only damages IP owners, predominantly entrepreneurs but also tarnishes Thailand’s image.

In response to this, small and medium-sized enterprises are being encouraged to boost their comprehension of IP rights. This includes registering for protection across various IP sectors such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks, according to Phumtham.

Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, the director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, stated that an agreement has been reached with major online platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop, as well as 30 rights owners. The purpose of this agreement is to prevent the sale of products that violate IP rights on these platforms.

Vuttikrai explained that rights owners can swiftly alert the platforms for immediate removal if they recognise any product listings that infringe on IP rights. If the platform doesn’t act, the department can be contacted who will then coordinate with the platform to ensure the product’s quick removal.

He further mentioned that previous alerts have led to the immediate eradication of such products from the platforms. Strategies are being made to collaborate with social media giants Facebook and Instagram, with the former reportedly developing new tools to manage IP infringement more effectively.

For copyright infringement regarding films and music, Vuttikrai advised that business owners could report any detected violations on websites to the department or the Digital Economy and Society Ministry to initiate legal action. He added that a court order could shut down websites or even the entire domain.

Online gambling

In addition to this, the department is in talks with advertising associations to stop ads on websites that breach the law, such as online gambling and adult content. Vuttikrai claims that the goal is to disrupt their revenue streams.

Vuttikrai highlighted recent victories in addressing IP infringement on platforms like Lazada and Shopee. These included the suspension of 960 listings across various categories, including auto parts, shoes, copyrighted songs, clothing, cosmetics, and toner cartridges.

In the first 11 months of the current year, 88 URLs were shut down under the Computer Crime Act, Section 20(3). Law enforcement also handled 181 cases, resulting in the seizure of 71,770 items valued at 25.6 million baht.

In related news, as people are transitioning more into the technological age, the way crime works has changed as well. With that, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) warns about the escalating cybercrime that is occurring in today’s developed world.