After a period of noticeable inactivity, revised drafts of the
trademark, design, patent, and copyright bills were submitted to
parliament and consequently published for public review in late
July and mid-August, prompting speculation that the bills will be
passed sooner rather than later.
We maintain, however, that any estimate on when the new laws
will be passed remains tentative at best, and even then, details
concerning how these laws will actually be implemented are even
more uncertain. All said, there is still a great deal of
uncertainty around the new laws and relying on existing legal
options that are currently in place may be the more prudent
approach.
At the same time, anticipation amongst brand owners for new IP
laws can perhaps be rivalled by the market's own enthusiasm to
try "new" products and services never before available in
Myanmar. For many, these first impressions of a brand on eager
consumers can make or break entry into the country.
