Does Trademark Registration In Vietnam Provide Immunity From Copyright Infringement?

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download Trademarks and copyrights – two concepts that may seem familiar, yet they harbor a wealth of legal complexities. Many mistakenly assume that obtaining a Trademark Registration Certificate grants them a "carte blanche" to use the logo without any further considerations. However, the reality is far from simple. In fact, it demonstrates that trademark registration and the issue of copyright infringement are two entirely distinct legal realms. KENFOX IP & Law Office analyzes the core differences, explores the points of intersection, and, in particular, elucidates why, even with a registered trademark, the potential for copyright infringement persists. In reality, there are...

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Copyright Registration: Why is it a comprehensive legal tool for brand protection in Vietnam?

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download A brand is a weapon for brand recognition, an invention is a key to open the door of technology. Everyone knows their importance. But copyright - a form of protection that is no less important, is often overlooked and underestimated. Many people mistakenly think that copyright is as natural as breathing, and registration is just a superfluous procedure. Although the law of many countries, including Vietnam, recognizes that copyright arises automatically from the moment a work is formed in a certain physical form, however, ignoring the legal value of the copyright registration procedure can lead to a significant decline...

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Copyright Law in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Overview

Vietnam does not have a separate copyright law. Vietnam’s legal framework for copyright protection is integrated within its broader Law on Intellectual Property (IP Law), first enacted in 2005. Rather than having a standalone copyright law, this comprehensive legislation governs various forms of IP, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyrights. The IP Law has been amended 03 times to adapt to Vietnam’s evolving economic landscape and to align with international IP standards....

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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...

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

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...

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PaaS: Piracy as a Service

"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...

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Safe habors

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...

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Geoblocking – What It Is and Why it Matters

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....

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

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....

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

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...

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