08 July

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4 Effective Appeal Strategies When a Trademark is Refused in Cambodia and Insights for International Investors

KENFOX IP & Law Office successfully assisted its client, Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Corporation Ltd., in overturning the provisional refusal of the International Registration for the trademark “達仁堂” (Da Ren Tang) in Cambodia. The Cambodian Department of Intellectual Property (DIP)'s initial decision to refuse the trademark was reversed on March 24, 2025, paving the way for the protection of this prestigious brand....

07 July

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Letter of Consent in Vietnamese Trademark Registration: How KENFOX Helped a Client Overcome a Trademark Refusal

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

Vietnam's Intellectual Property Law (IP Law), along with its guiding legal documents such as Decree 65/2023/ND-CP and Circular 23/2023/TT-BKHCN, does not contain any provisions stating that a "Letter of Consent" (LOC) can automatically eliminate the risk of confusion between trademarks or automatically lead to the approval of a trademark application when such a document is submitted. This lack of a clear legal mechanism for Letters of Consent has created a significant legal gap, making the examination process unpredictable and inconsistent, especially in cases where applicants have diligently negotiated and obtained consent from the owner of the cited trademark....

01 July

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How to Prove Well-Known Trademark Status in Vietnam: Legal Pathways and Practical Insights

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

Trademark squatting is emerging as a serious legal challenge for international businesses operating in Vietnam. Numerous global brands have found themselves in disadvantaged positions when their trademarks were preemptively registered by third parties, obstructing business operations and eroding brand value. In this context, obtaining well-known trademark recognition serves as an essential legal tool, not only to prevent intellectual property infringements but also as a key solution for businesses to restore and protect their legitimate rights....

01 July

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Common Misconceptions and Legal Risks of Using the ® Symbol in Vietnam

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

In Vietnam, it is not uncommon for businesses to underestimate the legal significance of using the registered trademark symbol ®. Many mistakenly believe that placing the ® symbol on a trademark that is still pending registration - or even one for which no application has been filed - poses little or no legal risk. Some may view it as a harmless marketing tactic or an acceptable placeholder while waiting for registration approval. However, the reality is far more serious. Under Vietnamese law, such misuse can expose businesses to a range of legal consequences, including administrative sanctions, fines, reputational damage, and...

01 July

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Chinese-character Trademarks in Vietnam: Do You Need to Register Them in Vietnamese?

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

In the context of deep international economic integration, foreign businesses, especially those from countries using ideographic scripts such as China, Japan, and South Korea, often face an important question when entering the Vietnamese market: “Is registering a trademark in Chinese characters (or other non-Latin scripts) sufficient for comprehensive brand protection in Vietnam, or is it necessary to additionally register a trademark in the Vietnamese language (either as a transliteration or translation)?”...

01 July

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Protection of Famous Names Under Trademark Law: Lessons from the Usain Bolt Case and Vietnamese Practice

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

The successful opposition by Usain Saint Leo Bolt ("Usain Bolt") against the trademark application "" in China stands as a prime example of how the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) recognizes and protects the rights attached to a famous personal name, even where no trademark registration exists in China. The CNIPA’s decision has set a noteworthy precedent for legitimate foreign brand owners: even without formal trademark registration, individuals with a high level of fame and a strong association between their name and identity may still be afforded legal protection. Significantly, the CNIPA did not limit its assessment to the...

01 July

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Trademark Examination Processes in Vietnam: Why You Need to Monitor Every Step to Avoid Costly Delays

Posted by Vu Thu Uyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

The trademark examination process in Vietnam involves formality examination, publication, substantive examination, and a decision on registration or refusal. The process typically takes 12 to 18 months, but can be longer if there are objections or oppositions. With extensive practical experience, KENFOX IP & Law Office provides comprehensive representation services, assisting trademark owners in closely monitoring each step of the registration process to ensure timely, lawful execution of procedures and to avoid potential risks....

09 June

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Registering Composite Marks in Vietnam: What Legal Risks to Consider Under the 2022 IP Law?

Posted by KENFOX IP

in Notable Articles, Trademark

“One application – a “composite” trademark – cost-effective”. This is a common belief among many trademark owners when opting to file a trademark that combines both figurative elements (logo) and word elements (word mark). Instead of filing two separate applications – one for the logo and one for the word mark – they consolidate both into a single trademark specimen to reduce filing, examination, publication, and renewal costs....

09 May

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Refusal of Chinese Language Trademarks in Vietnam: Legal Loophole or Outdated Regulation?

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

In the context of deep international economic integration and the unceasing development of cross-border trade activities, the protection of IP rights, especially trademarks, plays an indispensable legal foundational role. However, in Vietnam, regulations regarding the registration of trademarks using foreign scripts, particularly languages not belonging to the Latin alphabet such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc., remain a point of contention and require reconsideration. It is time to look at this issue more openly, moving towards the acceptance and protection of Chinese language trademarks and similar languages in Vietnam....

18 April

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Sound Marks in Vietnam: Legal Advancement and Brand-Building Opportunities

Posted by Quyen Nguyen

in Notable Articles, Trademark

In an increasingly competitive branding landscape, establishing a unique impression in customers’ minds is critical for survival. Beyond traditional signs such as logos or names, sound is emerging as a “new power”—a promising brand-building tool for Vietnamese businesses. A pivotal legal development came with the amended Intellectual Property Law of 2022 (effective from January 1, 2023), enacted to fulfill Vietnam’s international commitments under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). For the first time, Vietnamese law has officially expanded the definition of a trademark to recognize and protect “sound signs that can be represented graphically.” This change not...