04 March

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At a glance: Trademark Opposition in Vietnam

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Trademark in Vietnam, Vietnam

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download 1. What is a trademark opposition in 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. Under the amended IP Law of Vietnam in 2022, a Notice of Opposition should be filed within a specific deadline of 05...

03 March

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Why Trademark Opposition is a Must in Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Vietnam

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download Many trademark owners might think that examiners at the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office (“VNIPO”) will automatically reject trademark applications that are strikingly similar to existing marks, but reality can differ surprisingly. The assumption that very similar trademarks, especially those registered for similar or related goods and services, will certainly be rejected is a common misconception. Due to unforeseen reasons during the examination process, even marks that appear confusingly similar can sometimes be granted protection. Therefore, if one becomes aware of a new trademark application in Vietnam that is substantially similar to their prior mark, especially for the same type of...

24 February

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Zhong Wu vs. ZHONGYU: Analyzing Trademark Differences Based on Which Principles in Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Download Appealing a trademark refusal decision from the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (VNIPO) presents significant legal challenges, even with a single ground for refusal. Facing multiple grounds compounds the difficulty. However, KENFOX IP & Law Office recently succeeded in overturning a refusal for a trademark filed through the Madrid System designating Vietnam, despite the mark being rejected on three distinct grounds. What persuaded the VNIPO to reconsider its initial conclusion and ultimately recognize the distinctiveness of a trademark previously rejected for containing Chinese characters and exhibiting similarities to two cited marks? What lessons can be learned from this successful appeal? Background In...

11 February

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Does Trademark Registration In Vietnam Provide Immunity From Copyright Infringement?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Copyright, Notable Articles

[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...

10 February

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

Posted by KENFOX IP

in Copyright, Notable Articles

[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...

17 December

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“The Know Before You Go”: A Crucial Guide for Chinese Trademark Owners in Vietnam/ “行前须知”：中国商标持有人在越南的必备指南

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in News, Trademark

It is with great honor that we announce the contribution of our senior partner, Mr. Nguyen Vu Quan, to the INTA country guide "The Know Before You Go", specifically the Vietnam Chapter for Chinese enterprises. Mr. Quan's dedication and extensive expertise have enabled him to provide in-depth and practical insights on a variety of trademark-related issues, crucial for addressing the complex IP landscape in Vietnam. 我们非常荣幸地宣布，本所高级合伙人阮武权先生（Nguyen Vu Quan）为INTA国家指南“出行须知”（The Know Before You Go）做出了贡献，特别是为中国企业撰写了越南章节。权先生凭借其奉献精神和丰富的专业知识，对各种商标相关问题提供了深刻且实用的见解，这对于应对越南复杂的知识产权格局至关重要。 Answering questions for INTA’s country guides demands not only time and effort but also profound expertise and practical experience. This is particularly true in the context of Vietnam, where IP...

06 December

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Invalidation of a European Patent: How can it impact your patents in Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Patent

[vc_row triangle_shape="no"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Download Many businesses worry that the invalidation of a European patent will automatically lead to the loss of protection in Vietnam. Can a decision to invalidate a patent in Europe truly "cross borders" and affect your patent in Vietnam? KENFOX IP & Law Office provides detailed guidance on the relationship between patent invalidation in Europe and its impact on patents in Vietnam. It can be affirmed that, although the invalidation of a European patent may affect a Vietnamese patent, it does not "automatically" lead to the invalidation of the patent in Vietnam. Vietnam's patent protection system operates independently from Europe's. A patent...

27 November

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“Fabrilcar” vs. “FABRICA” and “FABRICAIR”: How to successfully appeal a trademark refusal in Vietnam?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark, Vietnam

Vietnam – On 16/10/2024, the IP Offfice of Vietnam (“IP VIETNAM“) issued a Decision on acceptance of IR No. 1470915 for the mark “Fabrilcar” in the name of Aspöck Systems GmbH, withdrawing its provisional refusal decision and terminating a lengthy 4-year appeal process. This is a great victory for our client, Aspöck Systems GmbH, an Austrian company that specializes in developing and manufacturing lighting systems for vehicles, founded in September 1977....

14 November

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Second Medical Use Patents: Promoting Development or Hindering the Pharmaceutical Industry in Southeast Asia?

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Patent

Download The pharmaceutical landscape in Southeast Asia is undergoing a dynamic shift, with second medical use claims emerging as a crucial battleground. These claims, which protect the use of a known medical substance or device for a new therapeutic application, are gaining traction, but not without controversy. KENFOX IP & Law Office provides you with the importance and contentious nature of second medical use claims in Southeast Asia, examining the varying approaches across the region. Second Medical Use Claims: What They Matter? Developing new drugs and therapies requires significant investment in research and development (R&D). Second medical use claims provide pharmaceutical companies with...

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....