Gov Depts Criticize Plans to Alter Cigarette Warnings
The Department of Intellectual Property and the International Trademark Association have issued complaints to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra regarding plans to increase the size of graphic warnings on cigarette packs. The agencies state that the adjustment would interfere with intellectual property regulations, break the Thai trademark law and violate international treaties, the Bangkok Post reports.
The new graphic images would take up almost the entire face of a cigarette pack, from 55% of the front to 85%. This adjustment would have repercussions for retailers, stated the Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTTA). TTTA claimed it has been willing to work with the government to reduce the number of smokers in the country, but the new regulations are unnecessary and extreme.
Thailand Trademark Registration
Chaninat and Leeds attorneys specialize in Thailand trademark registration and copyright law.
If the regulations are improved, Thailand would have the world’s largest cigarette warning graphics.
Related texts: Thailand’s New Trademark Act
Related articles: U.S. Copyright Group Recommends Thailand Be Added to “Watch List”
Flickr photo courtesy of Badly Drawn Dad
