Patent Protection: Securing Your Industrial Innovation

If your business involves a "Technical Step" that is new and non-obvious, you should consider a patent. Thailand offers three distinct types of protection for physical and process-based innovations.

 

1. Invention Patent

• Duration: 20 years.
• Requirement: High level of innovation. This is for true breakthroughs.
• The Catch: The examination process can take 5-10 years.

 

2. Petty Patent

• Duration: 6 years (extendable to 10).
• Requirement: A "new" invention, but it doesn't need to be a major technical leap.
• The Benefit: Much faster approval (often within 1 year). Perfect for fast-moving consumer goods or minor industrial improvements.

 

3. Industrial Design Patent

• Duration: 10 years.
• Requirement: Protects the Aesthetic Look or shape of a product, rather than its function. Essential for furniture, jewelry, and automotive parts.

 

Strategic Value

A patent isn't just a shield; it is a weapon. It allows you to block competitors from the market and increases the valuation of your company during a BOI application or a capital raise.

 

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Related Service: Company Registration & Legal — Strategic guidance on patent vs. petty patent filing.