An efficient protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPs) has a positive impact on the economy as it can help attract foreign investment and encourage the advancement of science and technology. There has been much discussion among the ASEAN member States in harmonizing their IP systems to encourage registration and utilization of IPRs among them. However, many legal infrastructures should be prepared in each of the ASEAN member countries and at the ASEAN level before the harmonization of the IP system. In the patent area, the harmonization idea requires more effort since there is also a huge difference in technology development among them. This article discusses various strategies in harmonizing the patent system in the ASEAN member states. This author would look into similar regional organizations, such as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization and the African Intellectual Property Organization to compare their patent systems to those of the ASEAN to promote the utilization of patents in the ASEAN region.

1. Introduction
 2. Patent System in the ASEAN Member States
  A. International IP Laws
  B. Internal Laws and Terms of Patent Protection of the ASEAN Member States
  C. Application and Enforcement
 3. Efforts of the ASEAN related to Patents
 4. Lesson from Similar Regional Organizations: ARIPO,OAPI and EU
 5. Conclusion

• V. Selvie Sinaga(Associate Professor of International Law at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia)