Does copyright protection require registration in Thailand?

Copyright protection in Thailand: **Automatic protection:** Copyright arises automatically when an original work is created in a tangible form. No registration, notice, or © symbol is legally required. **Legal basis:** Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994), aligned with the Berne Convention **What is protected:** - Literary works (books, articles, computer programs) - Dramatic and musical works - Artistic works (paintings, photographs, architecture) - Audiovisual works (films, videos) - Sound recordings - Broadcasts **Duration of protection:** - Generally: Life of the author + 50 years - Corporate works: 50 years from creation - Applied art: 25 years from creation **Voluntary registration:** - Available at the DIP (Department of Intellectual Property) - Cost: THB 200 per work - Provides a presumption of ownership in disputes - Useful for enforcement and licensing **Enforcement without registration:** - You can sue for infringement without registration - Burden of proof for ownership is on the claimant - Evidence of creation (drafts, timestamps, emails) is critical **Foreign works:** - Protected under the Berne Convention if the author's country is a member - No formalities required for foreign copyright holders