In a fresh development for European patent applicants, Laos has become a validation state for European patents, marking a strategic expansion of the European patent system into Southeast Asia. Under the validation agreement with the European Patent Office (EPO), signed on 13 May 2024 and in force from 01 April 2025, applicants can now extend the legal effect of their European patents to Laos with minimal extra cost and effort.
This move offers a new route for European businesses to protect their inventions in the ASEAN region, enhancing IP coverage in a growing market. By paying a validation fee and providing a translation of the patent claims into Lao, European applicants can secure the same rights in Laos as a national patent would offer.
The agreement strengthens the EPO’s global footprint and provides European innovators with a streamlined path to IP protection beyond the EPC member states, reinforcing the value and reach of a European patent.
A link to the EPO's announcement can be found here.
Contact Dr. Emil Benatov & Partners' experienced team of European patent attorneys for all matters related to European patents.
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