06 June

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Beyond First-to-File: How Copyright Won a Trademark Battle in Vietnam?

First-to-file is not an absolute and immutable principle in establishing trademark rights. In a broader sense, it is not at default that when you are the first filer of the trademark, you will automatically be the trademark owner in perpetuity in Vietnam. A trademark registration certificate issued by the IP Office of Vietnam (IP VIETNAM) is not automatically a legal tool to protect you from allegations of intellectual property infringement. We provide a typical copyright-trademark conflict case in Vietnam to demonstrate significance of copyright in winning trademark disputes. If not for earlier copyright, the legitimate owner would not be able...

10 May

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Stream-Ripping: Vietnam and the Battle Against Online Content Piracy

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright, Notable Articles

Did you know that every time you download music or videos from YouTube using unofficial tools, you are participating in potential copyright infringement? This behavior, which extends from music to videos to TV shows downloaded without the copyright owner’s permission, not only violates the law but also seriously affects the revenue and creativity of artists. Known as “Stream ripping”, this practice of copying online content is not only popular in Vietnam but is also considered one of the biggest challenges facing the global entertainment industry. The negative impacts of online content piracy on artists and content creators can be severe...

10 May

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PaaS: Piracy as a Service

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright

"PaaS" stands for "Piracy as a Service." This is a play on the more common term "Platform as a Service" in the technology industry, which refers to providing a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app. "Piracy as a Service" refers to services or platforms that facilitate or enable piracy by providing the necessary infrastructure, technology, and often a vast library of unauthorized digital content like movies, TV shows, or software. These platforms make it easy for other websites or end users...

10 May

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Safe habors

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright

In the context of copyright law, "safe harbors" refer to legal provisions that provide immunity or protection to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other online intermediaries from liability for the copyright infringement activities of their users, as long as the intermediaries meet certain specified conditions. These provisions are designed to balance the rights of copyright holders with the practicalities of online service operation, enabling the digital economy to flourish while also protecting intellectual property rights. To qualify for safe harbor protection, ISPs and other intermediaries generally must: [1] Not have actual knowledge of the infringing activity or, in cases where they do...

10 May

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Geoblocking – What It Is and Why it Matters

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright

Geoblocking is the practice of restricting access to internet content based on a user’s geographical location. This is typically achieved by using technology to determine the user’s IP address, which identifies the country or region from which they are accessing the internet. With this information, content providers can then either allow or deny access to specific content....

10 May

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Exploring Pre-Release Leaks: What They Are and Why They Matter

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright

The term "pre-release leaks" refers to unauthorized releases of music or other media before the official release date set by the publisher or artist. These leaks can occur through various channels and often involve digital files being made available online without permission. This allows consumers to access and distribute new music before it is officially released, often harming sales and disrupting marketing plans. Pre-release leaks are considered a serious issue within the music and entertainment industries, as they undermine the controlled release strategies meant to maximize media exposure and revenue....

02 April

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Proving Originality Of An Applied-Art Work Or A Logo: Why Is It Challenging and What To Do?

Posted by Ly Dinh

in Copyright, Notable Articles, Vietnam

When opposing or requesting the invalidation of a third party's trademark registration on the grounds that the trademark is a copy or contains a copy of a work protected by rights under Article 73.7 of the Intellectual Property Law (IP Law), or requesting administrative handling copyright infringement, you may face a counter-statement that your logo lacks “originality” - one critical requirement to enable your logo to qualify copyright protection. Such claims can include arguments that your logo is composed of common, generic, or widely used elements that do not meet the threshold of originality – it lacks distinctiveness, meaning it...

01 February

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Law vs. Reality: The Hurdles of Pursuing Damages in Vietnamese Copyright Infringement Cases

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Copyright, Vietnam

Download The transfer price of intellectual property (IP) rights is one of the legal bases specified in Article 205.1(b) of the Vietnam IP Law to determine compensation claims in IP disputes. However, in a recent notable IP infringement case, both levels of court - first instance and appellate court - simultaneously rejected a claim for compensation based on the "transfer price" of IP rights. The case not only sparked endless debates about the complexity of the legal process, but also highlighted a significant challenge in determining the basis and method for Courts to assess and award compensation in IP disputes. Why is...

01 February

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How Does Vietnam’s IP Law Need To Provide For AI Generated Works?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Copyright, Vietnam

Download In the rapidly evolving digital age, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and creative processes presents a unique challenge to traditional notions of copyright. As AI advances with increasingly sophisticated capabilities, it has become a critical component in generating diverse forms of content. In this context, a series of questions arise, requiring deep consideration as to whether works created by AI are eligible for copyright protection. Lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are faced with the necessary task of considering a series of aspects: from determining the originality and copyright status of such works, to the extent of creative input from...

18 December

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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...