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Patent Protection in Laos: Understanding Annual Fees and Patent Term for Patents in Laos

Download In the dynamic landscape of intellectual property rights, protecting inventions through patents is crucial for businesses and inventors alike. When it comes to obtaining and maintaining patents in Laos, it is essential to comprehend the calculation of annual fees and the patent term. At KENFOX, our firm specializes in providing comprehensive patent services in Laos, assisting clients throughout the entire patent lifecycle, from application to maintenance. In this article, we will delve into the calculation of annual fees for granted patents in Laos, explain the patent term, and emphasize the importance of paying these fees promptly. Calculating the annual fee of...

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

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....

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Cambodian Customs and IPR Enforcement: What You Need to Know

Download Cambodia's lack of a customs recordal system means that the customs authorities have not yet received any requests for customs supervision regarding intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement. But what does this mean for intellectual property rights holders who are looking to protect their interests in Cambodia? Is there any recourse available to them? In fact, there are still ways to engage Cambodian customs to enforce IPR infringement, and one of these ways is by filing a request for recordal of exclusive distributorship. In this article, we will explore this option in more detail and discuss the implications for intellectual property...

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

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...

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Provisional rights to patents and industrial designs in Vietnam – What you need to know?

Download Vietnam's emergence as a leading destination for innovation and investment has resulted in a significant increase in patent and industrial design filings. One of the most important features of the Vietnamese IP system is the availability of provisional rights to patents and industrial designs. Provisional rights can provide patent or design owners with significant benefits even before their applications are fully examined and granted. In this article, we will explore what provisional rights are, how they work, certain requirements and limitations to provisional rights, and what patent and industrial design owners need to know to maximize their benefits as well...

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How is Goods/Service Relatedness Significant for Trademark Registration 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...

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Handling IPR infringement under criminal route in Vietnam: Key takeaways

 Download Counterfeiting is one of the most lucrative and expansive illicit industries in the world. Counterfeiters are becoming more sophisticated in their methods and practices, as well as in their use of counterfeiting technology to produce counterfeit products that are easier to pass off as genuine products to Vietnamese consumers. In Vietnam, criminal sanctions are available for counterfeiting offenses, including those related to intellectual property rights (IPR) infringements. However, in practice, these sanctions are rarely imposed. Nevertheless, a recent criminal case involving counterfeit goods is an applaudable effort by Vietnamese enforcement authorities to impose deterrence effects in curbing IPR infringement.  Facts: On...

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Trademark Registration in Vietnam: What You Need to Know

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...

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ASPEC Programme – an avenue to expedite patent granting in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries

Download 1. What is ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) programme? The ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation (ASPEC) program is a regional patent cooperation program in Southeast Asia that allows patent applicants to request accelerated patent examination in participating ASEAN member states (“AMS”). It aims to improve the efficiency and quality of patent examination among participating ASEAN member state's intellectual property Offices (“AMS IP Offices”) by sharing search and examination (S&E) results. Under the ASPEC program, patent applicants can submit a request for accelerated examination of a patent application in a participating AMS IP Office (“second IP Office”) based on a S&E reports issued by...

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