Intellectual Property Department and The One Enterprise Join Forces to Promote GI Products Through Drama and Series

The Intellectual Property Department and The One Enterprise are collaborating to promote geographical indication (GI) products through television dramas and series, while strengthening copyright laws and protecting performers' rights to advance Thailand's content industry. Ormon Sabtwitthidharm, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, announced the partnership following meetings with Takol Kiattiwirawan, CEO of The One Enterprise Public Company Limited at GMM Grammy Place, where both organizations explored strategies to promote intellectual property use and create tangible value for the creative economy through comprehensive support of Thailand's content industry—from creation and talent development to commercial expansion and international market growth. The collaboration leverages the power of dramas and series as important tools to promote GI products both domestically and internationally.

"This discussion reflects the commitment of both public and private sectors to strengthen Thailand's content industry and enhance its global competitiveness, while developing personnel capabilities and content that can support growth in international markets," the director-general stated. The partnership emphasizes systematically linking storytelling, brand identity, and economic value, aligning with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sudhiramphunt's policy to strengthen Thai SMEs through intellectual property as a value-adding tool and to elevate Thai creative works and identity products to the global market.

Both parties discussed upgrading copyright laws and performer rights protections. The Intellectual Property Department is currently proposing amendments to the Copyright Act to enable Thailand's accession to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) under RCEP obligations, with completion targeted for 2025. This will enhance protection of performers' and sound recording producers' rights in the digital age. The department is welcoming private sector input and planning educational forums on copyright law to balance rights protection with sustainable development of the Thai film and drama industry.

The two organizations also identified opportunities to benefit communities by integrating GI products with local narratives into drama and series content through product placement and storyline connections—such as featuring GI products in dining scenes, using GI production facilities as filming locations, and linking character storylines to producers' lifestyles. Thai dramas, series, and news programs serve as soft power to convey local charm, lifestyle, and national identity to audiences at home and abroad, thereby creating tangible economic value.