11 July

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Easy to Register – Hard to Keep: Emerging Challenges in Trademark Protection in Laos

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download In Laos, securing a trademark registration is streamlined by a first-to-file system. However, the true challenge for trademark owners lies in understanding and adhering to the post-registration "use" requirements. KENFOX IP & Law Office, with its consistent recognition for expertise in Lao trademark and patent law, has a proven track record of assisting international and domestic clients in both securing and enforcing their IP rights. We would like to offer a detailed overview of trademark use requirements in Laos, exploring key post-registration obligations, the implications of non-use, and practical strategies for safeguarding your valuable brand assets in the Lao market. 1....

09 July

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KENFOX Overturns Trademark Refusal for “MINIX” After Nine-Year Appeal in Vietnam

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download KENFOX IP & Law Office has secured a significant victory for its client, Minix Technology Ltd., a Shenzhen, China-based technology company. After nine years of persistent pursuit, KENFOX successfully persuaded the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) to grant protection for the "MINIX" trademark in Class 09. This success not only affirms Minix Technology Ltd.'s legitimate rights but also establishes a valuable legal precedent for similar cases in the future. Background Minix Technology Ltd., established in 2008, is a technology company specializing in the development and production of advanced products such as mini-computers, media players, and other electronic devices. The company...

08 July

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4 Effective Appeal Strategies When a Trademark is Refused in Cambodia and Insights for International Investors

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download KENFOX IP & Law Office successfully assisted its client, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Corporation Ltd., in overturning the provisional refusal of the International Registration for the trademark “達仁堂” (Da Ren Tang) in Cambodia. The Cambodian Department of Intellectual Property (DIP)'s initial decision to refuse the trademark was reversed on March 24, 2025, paving the way for the protection of this prestigious brand. Background: Trademark Refused for "Confusing Similarity" On September 19, 2024, the Cambodian DIP issued a Notification of Provisional Refusal for International Registration No. 1765517 for Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Corporation Ltd.'s trademark “達仁堂”. The refusal...

07 July

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Letter of Consent in Vietnamese Trademark Registration: How KENFOX Helped a Client Overcome a Trademark Refusal

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download Vietnam's Intellectual Property Law (IP Law), along with its guiding legal documents such as Decree 65/2023/ND-CP and Circular 23/2023/TT-BKHCN, does not contain any provisions stating that a "Letter of Consent" (LOC) can automatically eliminate the risk of confusion between trademarks or automatically lead to the approval of a trademark application when such a document is submitted. This lack of a clear legal mechanism for Letters of Consent has created a significant legal gap, making the examination process unpredictable and inconsistent, especially in cases where applicants have diligently negotiated and obtained consent from the owner of the cited trademark. In practice,...

01 July

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Chinese-character Trademarks in Vietnam: Do You Need to Register Them in Vietnamese?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download In the context of deep international economic integration, foreign businesses, especially those from countries using ideographic scripts such as China, Japan, and South Korea, often face an important question when entering the Vietnamese market: “Is registering a trademark in Chinese characters (or other non-Latin scripts) sufficient for comprehensive brand protection in Vietnam, or is it necessary to additionally register a trademark in the Vietnamese language (either as a transliteration or translation)?” KENFOX IP & Law Office provides an in-depth legal analysis of this issue, helping trademark owners identify potential risks and develop an optimal trademark registration strategy in Vietnam. The Core...

01 July

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Protection of Famous Names Under Trademark Law: Lessons from the Usain Bolt Case and Vietnamese Practice

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download The successful opposition by Usain Saint Leo Bolt ("Usain Bolt") against the trademark application "" in China stands as a prime example of how the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) recognizes and protects the rights attached to a famous personal name, even where no trademark registration exists in China. The CNIPA’s decision has set a noteworthy precedent for legitimate foreign brand owners: even without formal trademark registration, individuals with a high level of fame and a strong association between their name and identity may still be afforded legal protection. Significantly, the CNIPA did not limit its assessment to...

27 June

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Registering Class 35 – A Choice or an Imperative Strategy in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Cambodia, Laos, Notable Articles, Trademark, Vietnam

In the markets of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, registration under Class 35 is no longer merely an option—it has become an essential requirement for securing robust and comprehensive brand protection. The prevailing practice of prioritizing Class 35 in trademark examination within these jurisdictions is not just procedural in nature; it constitutes a strategic key that enables businesses to significantly enhance their trademark protection—often exceeding expectations....

23 June

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Delegation and Decentralization of IP Rights in Vietnam – What Right Holders Must Know Under Decree 133/2025/ND-CP?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in News, Notable Articles, Viet Nam

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download Decree 133/2025/ND-CP (issued on June 12, 2025) marks a significant administrative reform in the field of science and technology, including intellectual property (IP). This Decree stipulates the delegation and decentralization of certain state management tasks concerning IP from the central level (Ministry of Science and Technology/IP Office of Vietnam) to the provincial-level People's Committees (PCs). The Decree takes effect from July 1, 2025, and will be piloted until March 1, 2027 (unless extended or replaced by new regulations). KENFOX IP & Law Office provides in-depth analysis and comprehensive insights into Decree 133/2025/ND-CP, assisting IP right holders in thoroughly understanding the...

13 June

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Cannabis and Pharmaceutical Inventions in Vietnam: To Protect or To Reject?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Patent, Vietnam

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download In many developed nations, pharmaceutical products containing active ingredients extracted from cannabis are ushering in a new era of treatment for conditions ranging from epilepsy and chronic pain to supportive cancer therapy. Inventions in this field are continuously being granted patents in the United States, Europe, and Japan. In a global context witnessing a profound shift in the perception of medical cannabis, a critical legal question arises in Vietnam: Why is a trend considered a medical innovation in many parts of the world impeded by what is deemed "contrary to social ethics and public order" under Article 8.1 of...

12 June

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Trademark Refusal in Cambodia: How Should a Refusal Be Handled?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Cambodia, Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download Once a response to a Notice of Refusal from the Cambodian Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has been filed, a crucial question emerges: What is the path forward? Will the DIP proceed directly to a final decision, or do opportunities remain to fortify the application and protect the brand’s eligibility for registration? Should the initial arguments be rejected, is the applicant still permitted to amend the application, supplement the record, or present new arguments to resolve the grounds for refusal? What are the subsequent procedural steps an applicant must navigate to avoid missing critical deadlines? Furthermore, if a final refusal...