Art. 27.2 of the Law on Consumer Protection mandates that any advertising shall be in Khmer language. Furthermore, Art. 9 of Sub-Decree No. 232 requires all commercial advertising of products and services - by any channel - to use Khmer as the primary language. If foreign-language text is used in advertisements, it must comply with the Sub-Decree rules on placement and font size to ensure the Khmer text retains its prominence. It is reported that the Khmer language requirement can be an onerous obligation for some businesses.

Art. 15 of the Law on Telecommunications provides that a license from the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) is required for the provision of VOIP and Internet café services.

Art. 99 of the Law on Telecommunications introduces sentences of six months to two years imprisonment and heavy financial penalties for “any act of producing, installing or distributing software or hidden audio recorders for recording dialogue” without approval from the authorities. It is reported that this unclear provision, which seems to require government approval for any software that can record sound, could potentially criminalise the basic use, sharing, or development of software such as smartphone apps. Additionally, the range of sound-recording hardware concerned with this provision is unclear.

In March 2012, the Cambodia Custom and Excise General Department announced a ban on the import of old computers and spare parts for occupational purposes, except for self-consumption and/or charity, in a minor amount.

It has been reported that Cambodia's Customs and Excise Department engages in non-transparent practices that appear arbitrary. Importers frequently cite problems with undue processing delays, burdensome paperwork, and unnecessary formalities.

It is required that several products sold in Cambodia obtain national certification, although this certification is often based on international standards. Foreign manufacturers must sign an agreement with the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) to obtain local certification. Any entity can apply for a license that would allow it to use the ISC Certification Mark. The license has a validity of three years, which can be extended for three years at a time, subject to satisfactory operation of the license.

Cambodia has a copyright regime under the Law on Copyright and Related Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Section 4 lists the exceptions, which include: free and private representations made exclusively to a close circle of people such as family or friends; the purposes of education, which is not for financial gain; translation of works from the Khmer language into the languages of the ethnic minorities or vice versa; among others (Arts. 23-29).

Art. 14 of Sub-Decree No. 23 imposes an obligation on National Internet Gateway (NIG) operators to retain traffic data for a year. National Internet Gateway refers to the gateway where all Internet services must be connected nationally and internationally, and traffic refers to the amount of data that passes through a network within one second of a certain time (Annex 1). NIG operators shall maintain technical records, IP address allocation table, and route identification of traffic transiting through NIG for the last 12 months. It is reported that Art. 14 means the operator(s) of the NIG can track the activities of all internet users in Cambodia, including a user’s browser as well as unencrypted search history for up to 12 months. Art. 13 imposes an obligation on NIG operators to report and monitor traffic data and submit monthly, quarterly, semesterly, third-quarterly, and annual traffic reports within seven days after the end of each month, quarter, semester, third-quarter and year to both Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC).

It has been reported that film and music piracy is still rampant in the country, although a campaign by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has tried to crack down on this issue. It is also reported that infringement of IPRs is prevalent in Cambodia and it includes pirated software, music, and books. Though Cambodia is not a major centre for the production or export of counterfeit or pirated materials, local businesses report that the problem is growing because of the lack of enforcement.

Cambodia has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Cambodia has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Cambodia does not have a comprehensive framework in place that provides effective protection of trade secrets, but there are limited measures addressing some issues related to them. According to the Contract Law of 1998, to maintain information in employment or other contractual relationships, a non-disclosure agreement may be used and enforced. In addition, the Ministry of Commerce is currently in the process of preparing a Law on Trade Secrets and Undisclosed Information.

It is reported that there is an obligation for passive infrastructure sharing in Cambodia to deliver telecom services to end users. Passive infrastructure sharing is also practised in the mobile and fixed sectors based on commercial agreements.

Sub-Decree No. 111 ANK/BK stipulates that Cambodia permits full foreign ownership in the telecommunication sector. However, Art. 3 of Law on Public Enterprise states that the Cambodian government must directly or indirectly hold more than 51% of the capital or the right to vote in state-owned enterprises. Given that Telecom Cambodia, the principal telecom company in Cambodia, is fully state-owned, some restrictions apply in this sector.

Telecom Cambodia, the principal telecom company in Cambodia, is fully state-owned.