On May 13, 2024, the European Patent Office (EPO) welcomed a delegation from Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce, led by Deputy Minister Ms. Chansouk Sengphachanh, for the signing of the Validation Agreement. Both parties emphasized their commitment to collaboration during the signing ceremony, setting the stage for future innovation and economic growth partnerships.

Validation Agreements are based on a single European patent application, eliminating the need for separate national filings. With Strategic Plan 2028 (SP2028), the EPO will prioritize these agreements for cooperation with non-European Patent Convention countries. This approach allows resources to be redirected from duplicate filings to promoting national patents, raising awareness, and building capacity, making the validation state more attractive to investors and ensuring the patent system's sustainability.

Laos becomes the EPO's second validation partner in Southeast Asia and the sixth country to sign a Validation Agreement with the European Patent Organisation, following Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Cambodia, and Georgia. These Validation Agreements are already in force in the listed countries, and Laos will soon join.

Under this agreement, Laos' patent system will benefit from centralized search and examination conducted by the EPO's team of 4,000 examiners. This move aims to strengthen legal certainty, clarity, and protection for innovators and businesses, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and expansion.

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