Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study the legal status of user interface, problems on legal enforcement and appropriate protection of user interface under Thai laws. The research reveals that the legal status of user interface in Thailand is uncertain. However, each factor of user interface may be possibly protected under Copyright Act B.E. 2537 but it cannot be protected under Patent Act B.E. 2522, Trademark Act B.E. 2535, as well as Trade dress and Design laws. Anyhow, legal protection under Copyright Act B.E. 2537 may cause problems; to be considered on copyright infringement cases, about which factors of user interface should be protected or should not be protected due to technical and business necessity that cause similar character on most user interface and problem about expression of idea. High technology development also causes the problems that copyright law cannot specify the details of user interface, together with there is not any user interface cases on Thai judiciary system at present-day. Therefore, there should be a guideline about the protected and unprotected factors of user interface to make it clearer and to help in consideration of infringement case because guideline can be adapted easily when there is some technology change in the near future.