03 January

Sticky

Trademarks and trade names: What lessons can be learned from the recent pharmaceutical trademark lawsuit in Vietnam?

Download The nearly 4-year-long lawsuit between LC Pharmaceutical Company, a client of KENFOX, and Ms. LKL, the owner of the "LC" brand, reached its conclusion on December 20, 2023. The People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City delivered its verdict, dismissing all of Ms. LKL's claims. This decision marks not only a triumph for LC Pharmaceutical Company but also signifies a turning point in the fight against trademark squatting in Vietnam, shedding light on the complicated aspects of both intellectual property and pharmaceutical laws. The path to seek justice and fight against trademark squatting in Vietnam has never been simple. In...

18 December

0 Comments

Sticky

Takedown Notices: How Do ISPs Handle Copyright Infringement Claims in Vietnam?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright, Notable Articles

Download The landscape of intellectual property rights in Vietnam underwent a significant transformation with the third revision of the Intellectual Property Law in 2022. Among the notable provisions, Article 198b introduced a groundbreaking regulation holding Intermediary Service Providers (ISPs) legally responsible for copyright and related rights infringements by their platform users. Subsequently, on April 26, 2023, the Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 17/2023/NĐ-CP, providing detailed measures to implement the Intellectual Property Law regarding copyright and related rights. 1. Responsibilities of Intermediary Service Providers Upon receiving a removal or blocking request, often in the form of a Cease & Desist Letter, from a copyright...

07 December

0 Comments

Sticky

How Did Philipp Plein Appeal a Decision on Trademark Refusal in Vietnam?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Trademark

Download Article 74.2 (e) of Law on IP stipulates that: “2. A mark shall be deemed to be indistinctive if it is a sign falling into one of the following categories: (e) Signs other than integrated marks which are identical with or confusingly similar to registered marks of identical or similar goods or services on the basis of applications for registration with earlier filing dates or priority dates, as applicable, including applications for registration of marks filed pursuant to a treaty of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member“. In order to assess the similarity of marks at issue, it is...

22 November

0 Comments

Sticky

Patent refusal in Vietnam: Reasons & Suggestions for Applicants

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Notable Articles, Patent

Download Filing a patent application is a significant step towards protecting your intellectual property. However, the journey doesn't end with submission; patent applicants often encounter substantive office actions, crucial points where the patent office reviews the application in detail. Understanding these office actions is vital for a successful patent approval process. In Vietnam, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP VIETNAM) handles these proceedings. This article aims to shed light on substantive office actions for patent applications in Vietnam and offer insights on how to navigate through them effectively. 1. Substantive Examination Stage The substantive examination, as stipulated in Rule 15.6 of Circular...

15 September

0 Comments

Sticky

Patent Infringement in Vietnam: VIPRI’s Expert Analysis and Approach

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Patent, Vietnam

Download The Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) is a research institution under the Ministry of Science and Technology that provides expert opinions on IP infringement cases concerning industrial property subject matters such as inventions, industrial designs, designs of semi-conducting closed circuits, trade secrets, marks, trade names, and geographical indications. How does VIPRI reach an expert opinion that there is an infringing element to a patented invention? To reach an expert opinion that there is an infringing element to a patented invention, the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) typically employs a multi-step process. Here are some general steps that VIPRI may take: Reviewing the patent: VIPRI will...

06 September

0 Comments

Sticky

What Are Key Considerations For International Trademark Registrations Designating Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Vietnam

Download Over 9,000 international trademark applications designating Vietnam were filed annually from 2020-2022 has partly reflected the convenience and efficiency of the Madrid system in assisting IPR holders to secure protection for their brands in Vietnam. The Madrid System offers efficiency, cost savings, and a simplified approach to international trademark registration. These advantages make it an increasingly preferred option for businesses seeking to protect their brands in multiple countries, including Vietnam, as it streamlines the process and provides a cost-effective means of securing global trademark rights. Detailed regulations governing the processes and requirements for international trademark applications designated to Vietnam are meticulously...

28 August

0 Comments

Sticky

10 Key Points from Vietnam’s New IP Decree No. 65/2023/ND-CP

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in IP Practice, Notable Articles

Download In line with new regulations under the amended 2022 Intellectual Property Law (IP Law), on August 23, 2023, the Government issued Decree No. 65/2023/ND-CP (Decree) to detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the IP Law on industrial property, protection of industrial property rights, rights to plant varieties and state management of intellectual property. This Decree supersede Decree No. 103/2006/ND-CP and some parts of Decree No. 105/2006/ND-CP as amended and supplemented. KENFOX would like to provides 10 salient aspects of the Decree, shedding light on the changes and new mechanisms so that industrial property rights holders should grasp and...

26 July

0 Comments

Sticky

Black-and-White or Color Marks in Vietnam – Picking the Right Path

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Vietnam

Download In the fast-paced world of commerce, trademarks serve as powerful assets that distinguish one business from another. They are the face of a brand, carrying with them the goodwill and reputation built over time. Registering a trademark is a strategic move that bestows exclusive rights to its owner, providing a shield against the use of confusingly similar marks. However, the decision of whether to register a mark in black and white or its specific colors can be a complex and crucial one. To shed light on this matter, we delve into the reasons why applying for both versions may prove...

30 June

0 Comments

Sticky

An Award of Nearly VND 5 Billion for Copyright Infringement in Vietnam: What Lessons to Be Learned?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Copyright, Notable Articles, Vietnam

Download The copyright infringement case involving a substantial amount of nearly 5 billion VND (approx. USD 218,000) has garnered significant public attention and caught the interest of intellectual property rights holders. The trial took place in August 2022 at the People's Court of Binh Duong province. In this case, the defendant was ordered to compensate a substantial amount of nearly 5 billion VND. The compensation stemmed from the defendant's unauthorized installation of design software by their employees, thereby infringing upon the plaintiff's copyright ownership. The first-instance judgment ruled in favor of the plaintiff, who was the rightful owner of the copyright....

12 June

0 Comments

Sticky

Co-owned Patent Disputes in Vietnam: What to Do?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Patent, Vietnam

Download A co-owned patent arises when two or more parties jointly create an invention and seek patent protection for it. How if an invention is created by two parties, but just one party is named as inventor and owner while the other is only named as “inventor”? Can it cause any legal consequences? What can the other inventor do in such a case if the inventor who filed the patent application does not reach an amicable agreement on a co-owned patent? In recent news, the Intellectual Property Offices of Vietnam (IP VIETNAM) have been dealing with a case regarding “the right...