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Thailand's Emerging Text and Data Mining Exception: Between Copyright Orthodoxy and AI Competitiveness
One of the more consequential yet relatively underreported developments in Thailand’s emerging AI governance framework is the ongoing discussion surrounding a copyright exception for text and data mining (TDM), raising the broader question of whether Thai copyright law can support the data-intensive innovation model on which modern AI depends. Against longstanding uncertainty over the scope of copyright exceptions under Thai law, this article compares emerging approaches in Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States and assesses the trade-offs between legal certainty for AI development and protection of rightsholders. It argues that Thailand’s eventual choice—whether to adopt a broad or conditional TDM exception, rely on existing copyright doctrines, or pursue a licensing-based solution—will be an important signal of how the country intends to balance copyright protection, creative-industry interests, and AI competitiveness.
ASPEC+ and ASEAN’s next step in IP cooperation
ASEAN’s new ASPEC+ framework marks a cautious but meaningful shift from passive patent work-sharing toward active coordination among national IP offices. While far from a unified regional patent system, it may become an important test of whether procedural cooperation can gradually produce deeper convergence in ASEAN patent examination.
Quarterly updates: “Reformed” goods in Korea, FRAND mediation in Japan, and China’s Draft Trademark Amendment
Nearly a month ago, the Korean Supreme Court handed down a notable trade mark judgment, addressing a question that sits at the heart of upcycling and IP law: whether alteration or “reform” of a branded good, where the resulting product still bears the original mark, constitutes trade mark use.
Does Japan need a right to repair law?
Building on the discussion of RCLIP’s seminar on IP Law and Sustainability last December, Prof. Kwong kicks off this blog on Asian IP Law news with a discussion on the need for a right to repair. Click here for details!
Warm Greetings from RCLIP!
This blog is a culmination of ideas that have survived the pandemic of 2020, forged through unstable zoom connections, and refined by vigorous “fieldwork” on geographical indication that is wineand cheese. Now as we step bright-eyed into the new year, we’re excited to finally drop some ink on this Asian IP-centric blog that has been brewing in Professor Suzuki’s mind for some time.
Inauguration of the Blog
RCLIP Co-Director Prof. Suzuki and trusted friends publish updates on legal developments in the area of IP going forward in Asia. Please keep in mind that the content on this blog is intended for educational and research purposes and is not meant to be legal advice.