On 9 January 2020, the European Commission published the latest report on protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in third countries (countries outside the EU).

Despite the political commitment of the current Thai government and clear efforts of the Department of Intellectual Property, there has been limited progress in Thailand over the last two years. The coordination between the different authorities and agencies dealing with IPR enforcement has improved through the establishment of the National Committee on Intellectual Property and the Subcommittee on Enforcement against IP infringements.

The EU operates with 3 priority groups of which China ranks as priority number one as the only country. More than 80% of the seizures of counterfeit and pirated goods by EU customs authorities originate from China and Hong Kong. Forced technology transfer is an increasingly important trade irritant.

Priority Group 2 is a small group of countries for which progress in improving the situation has not improved at all.

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Malaysia and Thailand remain Priority 3 countries and the Commission services have selected two new Priority 3 countries: Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

More can be read in particular in this EU report for each country at this link.