Legislation enacted in October 1996 provides for the creation of a new set of courts having exclusive jurisdiction to try both civil lawsuits and criminal cases relating to violation of intellectual property rights. The legislation provides for a central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court having jurisdiction in Bangkok and its immediate surroundings and regional courts throughout the rest of the country. The judges to be appointed are to be knowledgeable in intellectual property or international trade. It is hoped that the creation of the new court system will facilitate the enforcement of intellectual property rights in Thailand.

Editor's Note: See our subsequent report in our December 1997 Newsletter.