Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) released its figures for the first nine months of 2026 on 12 October: new applications across the four industrial-property types — trademarks, invention patents, petty patents and industrial designs — totalled 61,288, up 9.59% year on year (55,923 in the same period of 2025). It is not a change in the law, but it puts Thailand's shifting demand for brand protection, patent strategy and copyright-asset management on clear display.
Broken down by type, trademarks remain by far the largest share:
- Trademarks: 45,696, up 10.76%
- Invention patents: 6,483, up 3.98%
- Petty patents: 4,313, up 18.16%, the fastest growth of the four
- Industrial designs: 4,796, up 0.27%, essentially flat
Registrations actually granted over the same period totalled 43,379, up 6.34% — slower than the rise in filings, which is normal: applications come first and grants follow the examination cycle.
Copyright deserves a separate note. Over the nine months, 17,176 works were recorded with the DIP, up sharply by 63.71% (10,492 a year earlier). Note that copyright in Thailand arises automatically on creation, so recordation with the DIP is voluntary and not a precondition for the right; these 17,176 are not counted within the 61,288 industrial-property applications above. The value of recordation is leaving a trail that helps prove ownership later. Literary works (including computer programs) led with 6,714, followed by artistic works and musical works.
By class of goods and services, trademark filings were led by retail and marketing services, health and herbal products, and cleaning and beauty products, reflecting that brand competition in Thailand is most active in consumer goods and health.
J&C notes that companies entering or already operating in Thailand can calibrate accordingly: demand and competition in trademarks are both rising, so core brands should be filed early in the relevant classes with proper similarity searches; copyright arises automatically, but for easily-copied works such as software, design drafts and marketing materials, voluntary recordation with the DIP creates an official timestamp that serves as firmer evidence of ownership and priority in a dispute.
Source: www.ipthailand.go.th
