LegalCulture

The Cost of IP Neglect: A Case Study in Brand Loss

Siam Advice FirmLegal Analysis

In 2021, a successful European coffee chain planned to open 10 stores in Bangkok. They had their equipment, their leases, and their marketing ready. They had not, however, checked the Thai trademark registry.

 

The Discovery

Three months before launch, they received a "Cease and Desist" letter. A local individual had registered their exact logo and name in Thailand two years prior, knowing the brand was expanding globally.

 

The Result

  • The Legal Battle: They spent 18 months in the Intellectual Property Court.
  • The Settlement: They eventually had to pay the "squatter" hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy back their own name.
  • The Lesson: In Thailand, being "internationally famous" does not grant you automatic trademark rights.

 

Your Direct Action

Search the Thai DIP database today. If your brand is available, file the application immediately. The cost of a few thousand THB in filing fees is nothing compared to the cost of a multi-million THB rebranding or a settlement with a squatter.

 


Related Service: Company Registration & Legal — IP due diligence and anti-squatting strategies.

Need Professional Guidance?

Don't navigate Thai regulations alone. Our licensed experts are ready to assist with your specific business case.

Siam Advice Firm

Your strategic gateway to Thailand business. Professional consulting for foreign investors.

Contact

Disclaimer: Siam Advice Firm is a private professional consulting firm. We are not a government agency and do not provide official government documents directly. We provide legal advisory and support services to ensure business compliance with Thai regulations.

© 2026 Siam Advice Firm. All rights reserved.