PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Lao People's Democratic Republic

Laos is working to improve its intellectual property (IP) system and bring it in line with international standards. It joined the Paris Convention in 1998 and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in 2006. It is also a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 

While Laos is not yet a party to the Budapest Treaty or the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), it continues to improve its national IP laws. The main authority for IP matters is the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 

In 2023, Laos amended its IP Law to include updated procedures and new concepts like exhaustion of rights, aiming to align with international practices. 

A major milestone is the Validation Agreement with the European Patent Organisation, allowing European patents to be validated in Laos from April 01, 2025. This will support foreign investment and technology transfer. 

The national phase in Laos must be entered within 30 months from the priority date of the PCT application. 

In Laos, patent applications must be filed in the Lao language. If the application is initially filed in a foreign language, a Lao translation must be submitted within 90 days from the filing date.

In Laos, there is no general extension for late national patent applications.

Documents required to file the national phase application in the said country are as follows:

• Power of Attorney: The original signed Power of Attorney, duly notarized must be submitted at the patent office within 60 days of the filing date.

• Assignment Deed: If the applicant is not the inventor, an original signed and notarized deed of assignment transferring the rights to the invention from the inventor to the applicant must be submitted at the patent within 60 days of the filing date.

In Laos, there are no cost exemptions for patent applications filed through the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP).

In Laos, to begin the patent examination process, the applicant must file a formal request with the patent office. This must be done within 24 months from the filing date for patents. Once the request is received, the patent office will examine the application to determine if it meets key patentability requirements like novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. 

In Laos, patent renewal fees start from the fifth year and must be paid annually to the patent office. A 6-month grace period is allowed for late payment with fines.

In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, a patent application through the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has a protection period of 20 years from the filing date.

Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) ranked 111th out of 133 countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, with an overall score of 17.80. The country performs better in innovation inputs such as institutions and infrastructure compared to innovation outputs like research and creative results. Lao Performance development reviews (PDR's) strongest areas include Market Sophistication, where it ranks 58th, followed by Institutions at 88th, Infrastructure at 96th, and Business Sophistication at 106th. On the other hand, its weakest areas are Creative Outputs at 123rd, Human Capital and Research at 121st, and Knowledge and Technology Outputs at 108th. This indicates that while Lao PDR has a relatively solid foundation to support innovation, it still struggles to translate these strengths into effective innovation outcomes. 

Lao PDR is making significant progress by improving connectivity through major infrastructure projects like the Laos-China Railway, aiming to become "land-linked." It has vast hydropower resources and plans to be the "battery of Asia," exporting electricity to neighbouring countries. Agriculture plays a key role in its economy, and the country is attracting foreign investment, especially from China, which boosts infrastructure and trade. These developments are driving growth, and the government is focused on market reforms and regional cooperation to enhance progress. Despite challenges like climate change and limited services, Lao PDR's strategic focus on energy, infrastructure, and trade positions it well for a sustainable future.