Briefs

A new provision of US antitrust law will make restrictions more stringent against manufactured products using software that violates copyright.

Such products will be seized at port of entry in the United States. As a result, Thai exporters need to certify that their software and hardware comply with copyright.

Pajchima Tanasanti, director general of Intellectual Property Department of the Commerce Ministry, said yesterday that exporters found in violation of copyright would also be ordered to pay damages.

However, the new law excludes medicines and medical equipment, food and beverages, and products that come under copyright protection such as movies and music.

The department warns that Thai exporters should inspect their manufacturing process to guard against illegal software and hardware.

SET uses Swift

Thailand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt the Swift messaging service, an international standard of communication to provide timely and accurate information to investors.

Initiated by the Stock Exchange of Thailand to streamline post-trade communication with investors, Swift messaging is used as a communication mode among financial institutions.

Holiday Inn in Phuket

The Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach has officially opened for business as the newest international hotel brand on the northwest coast of Phuket.

Holiday Inn says it is marketing the 246-room property to a range of travellers, from couples on a romantic getaway to families seeking the perfect holiday, or even professionals on a corporate retreat.

KBank rating affirmed

Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the rating of Kasikornbank with stable outlook, thanks to the bank's financial performance in the past year and a half.

Moody's says KBank's ratings remain constrained by weaker Tier I capital ratios when compared with its global and local peers; relatively high single-borrower concentrations and high - but decreasing - efficiency ratios; and comparatively lower capitalisation level. Its Tier I stood at 9.2 per cent in the first half of the year. However, the third-largest bank's network shows improvement in asset quality and high deposit base.

NZ approves Thai massage

The Thai massage standard has been approved by New Zealand to ensure market access.

Virachai Nopsuwanwong, deputy director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department of the Commerce Ministry, said yesterday that the approval would create more business opportunity for Thai massage services to open shops in New Zealand. The approval resulted from the Thailand-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Joint Committee's review of bilateral trade. - The Nation