EPO-Laos Validation Agreement Takes Effect: A New Era for Patent Protection
The European Patent Office (EPO) and Laos have taken a major step toward strengthening international patent protection with the enforcement of their validation agreement on April 1, 2025. This milestone allows applicants to validate their European patents in Laos, granting them the same legal rights as patents issued by the EPO. By simplifying the patent process, this agreement fosters innovation, strengthens legal certainty, and enhances investment opportunities in Laos.
On April 1, 2025, the validation agreement between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) officially entered into force, marking a significant advancement in international patent cooperation. This agreement enables applicants to validate their European patent applications and patents in Laos, granting them the same legal protection as patents granted by the EPO in its 39 member states.
The journey toward this milestone began on May 13, 2024, when EPO President António Campinos and Laos' Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ms. Chansouk Sengphachanh, signed the validation agreement. This made Laos the sixth country to enter such an agreement with the EPO, following Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Cambodia, and Georgia.
Under the terms of the agreement, European or international patent applications filed on or after April 1, 2025, are eligible for validation in Laos. Applicants must pay a validation fee of EUR 180 within six months of the European search report's publication or within the period for entering the European phase of an international application.
This collaboration is expected to bolster legal certainty and protection for innovators and businesses operating in Laos. By leveraging the EPO's centralized search and examination processes, the agreement aims to foster an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth in the region.
The implementation of this validation agreement underscores the EPO's commitment to enhancing international cooperation in the field of intellectual property, facilitating broader protection for inventors, and promoting technological advancement globally.
Source: EPO