12 March

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Cassation Protest in the Binh Minh Plastics Case: Restoring the Value of Expert Evidence in Trademark Dispute Resolution

Download On March 9, 2026, the intellectual property (IP) dispute between Binh Minh Plastics Joint Stock Company and Binh Minh Viet Plastics Joint Stock Company marked a significant procedural turning point: the Supreme People's Procuracy officially issued a Cassation Protest. This decision recommends the annulment of both the first-instance judgment of the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City and the appellate judgment of the High People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City. Over the past period, this case has been considered a typical "bottleneck," exposing the unpredictability and latent risks within Vietnam's IP litigation system. Previously, despite holding the most robust...

24 February

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MEGA MGC COFFEE: A “Reversal” Strategy and Lessons in Trademark Rights Establishment in Vietnam

Posted by KENFOX IP

in IP Practice, Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

In Vietnam's trademark registration practice, numerous international brand owners have been forced to withdraw from the market upon facing a critical deadlock: their applications were refused due to conflicts with prior-filed marks. When the likelihood of reversing such a refusal is deemed “very low”, the boundary between successfully introducing a multi-million dollar brand into a new market and leaving empty-handed often hinges solely on a timely strategic decision. The case of MEGA MGC COFFEE - South Korea’s second-largest coffee chain - in Vietnam serves as a compelling illustration of such a turning point. In what initially appeared to be a foregone...

23 January

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Guide on Trademark Matters in Vietnam

Posted by KENFOX IP

in IP Practice, Our Practice, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

The relevant trademark authority in Vietnam is the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP VIETNAM), previously known as the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP). ...

04 November

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Lacoste: Disrupting Wholesale Counterfeit Supply in Hanoi’s Old Quarter – 1,073 Items Seized, Factory-Scale Source Neutralized, Administrative Fine Imposed

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in IPR enforecement, Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

KENFOX IP & Law Office represented Lacoste in a coordinated anti-counterfeiting action targeting two apparel shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter that, following pre-raid investigation, were confirmed to be operating as upstream wholesalers of counterfeit Lacoste garments. After compiling evidence that these locations were supplying fake “LACOSTE” and crocodile-logo apparel into the broader Hanoi retail network, we escalated the case to the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science & Technology (IMOST) for administrative enforcement. IMOST conducted raids on the identified premises, seizing 1,073 counterfeit garments and imposing administrative fines totaling VND 183,360,000 on the two wholesalers. The seized inventory was ordered...

22 September

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Trademarks in the Metaverse: How to Effectively Protect Trademarks for “Physical” Products in the Virtual Space in Vietnam?

Posted by Dương Thúy

in Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam

Trademark disputes are becoming increasingly diverse, complex, and unceasing. Does the owner of a trademark for a “physical” automobile or watch, protected in Vietnam, China, or any other country, have the right to prevent a "virtual" version of the same product from appearing in an online game - with its logo intact and players willing to spend real money to acquire it? In a broader sense: Can using a mark on a virtual goods infringe the trademark for a physical goods? Traditionally, trademark infringement has been assessed based on the likelihood of confusion, in which the similarity between goods or...

06 March

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Addressing IP disputes in Vietnam: Declarations of non-infringement and invalidity

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

Intellectual property disputes, especially those concerning trademarks, are an inevitable part of the dynamic business environment in Vietnam. Instead of passively waiting for the threat of trademark disputes to arise, wise businesses will seek proactive solutions to protect themselves. The question then becomes: how can businesses proactively "stay one step ahead", mitigate legal risks, and confidently explore the market? Declarations of non-infringement and trademark invalidity are two excellent legal mechanisms, empowering third parties to definitively establish legal "boundaries", create a "safe harbor" for their commercial activities....

04 March

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At a glance: Trademark Opposition in Vietnam

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

In Vietnam, a trademark opposition is a legal procedure that allows a third party to formally challenge a pending trademark application before it gets officially registered by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (VNIPO, formerly, NOIP). A trademark opposition aims at preventing the registration of trademarks that could potentially infringe on existing rights or create confusion in the marketplace. It's a proactive measure to avoid future legal disputes and brand damage....

14 October

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Pharmaceutical Trademark Opposed in Vietnam: What Strategies for Successful Defense?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam

In a recent trademark opposition case, our firm, KENFOX ip & Law Offfice, successfully defended AJANTA PHARMA LIMITED's pharmaceutical trademark "VILDAREL" against opposition from BIOFARMA, owner of the prior mark "VASTAREL" (IR No. 221430). The opposition, based on Article 74.2(e) of Vietnam's IP Law, alleged that "VILDAREL" was confusingly similar to "VASTAREL" and could potentially harm BIOFARMA's brand reputation....

12 May

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How is Goods/Service Relatedness Significant for Trademark Registration in Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam

Download The nature of goods/services is one of two prerequisite factors (together with trademark itself) in determinging the registrability of an applied-for mark. Before applying for a trademark registration, it is important to consider the goods or services that the trademark will be used for. Through a practical trademark case that KENFOX IP & Law Office has successfully overcome the provisional refusal issued by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP VIETNAM), this article will explore the concept of goods/services relatedness and its importance in the trademark registration process in Vietnam. The factors that determine whether two goods or services are...

26 April

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Trademark Registration in Vietnam: What You Need to Know

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in IP Practice, Notable Articles, Trademark in Vietnam

Download Registering a trademark in Vietnam is a crucial step for any business or individual seeking to protect their brand and prevent unauthorized use by others. However, the process of registering a trademark can be complex and involves various steps that must be carefully followed. In order to successfully register a trademark in Vietnam, it is important to understand the availability searches, required documents for filing, the trademark examiner's steps and practices, how to respond to an office action, and the current protection of unconventional trademarks such as sound and smell marks. Additionally, understanding the implications of disclaimers in the trademark...