Today, the Ministry of Science and Technology, with support from The Software Alliance- the leading advocate for the global software industry, held a review of the “One-month campaign commemorating World Intellectual Property Day towards integration”.

This is a focused intellectual property (IP) campaign led by the ministry (MOST), in partnership with other ministries that participate in a joint programme of action for IP right infringement control (Programme 168). 

It is the second year in a row the initiative was underway, with proven positive influence on IP right protection in Vietnam.

With various major awareness activities taking place in a whole month (from March 31 to April 30, 2016), followed by robust enforcement efforts nationwide, the campaign was expected to create the much needed momentum to further boost on-going IP protection and enforcement actions, which has been high on the government’s agenda amid the national economy strong penetration into the regional and global economy.

A large variety of activities were underway throughout the month, including a business roundtable event which was held in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vietnam and scored much interest from the private sector, right owners and owners’ agents, and international organisations. 

This is the first roundtable of its kind that reflects in details all Vietnam's IP commitments in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP), as a way to help businesses take hold of the opportunities that may come their way, and be prepared to comply with these covenants. 

Importantly, a review of the joint programme of action for IP right infringement control, Phase II (2012-2015) held by MOST, in cooperation with eight other relevant ministries, on April 28, 2016 to reconfirm Vietnam’s willingness to fulfill its international IP commitments made as part of the bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements it has endorsed, and especially preparedness before TPP comes into effect. 

Programme 168, with close coordination of the nine participating ministries and line agencies, look set to contribute a major role in spurring IP protection and enforcement efforts in the near future.

In the first five months of 2016, the MOST Inspectorate alone received 31 petitions for punitive actions from right owners and case files passed over by the police. 

Inspection activities took place with 25 entities and individuals showing signs of abusing industrial ownership rights, and VND855.6 million ($39,050) in fines was imposed. 

Caught infringing acts vary, including abuses of patents, useful solutions, trade marks, industrial designs, trade names and unfair competition.

In respect of software ownership alone, the first wave of inspection following the “One month campaign commemorating World Intellectual Property Day towards integration” had been underway at several enterprises in southern Vietnam, including Ty Hung Co. Ltd., AAA Pharmacy Ltd. (headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City), and Alliance One Garment Co. Ltd. (based in Ben Tre province).  

An audit taskforce teamed up by inspectors of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) and Hi-tech Crime Police (C50, Ministry of Public Security), checked 247 computers and detected more than 500 unlicensed software applications in use. 

By estimates of the owners’, the software used illegally at these three companies was worth about VND3 billion ($137,000).

“After the one-month campaign, enforcement efforts will be further intensified across the country in the coming months in all the areas involved – manufacturing, computer software and others, to achieve Vietnam’s goal for effective protection of IP rights and upholding IP-related international commitments,” said Tran Minh Dung MOST chief inspector. 

Roland Chan, senior director for Compliance Programmes, Asia Pacific at BSA– a close supporting partner of MOST in the action programme for two consecutive years now, said, “We truly give high credit to MOST and participants of Programme 168 for their monumental efforts, especially MOCST, in assuring effective IP enforcement in Vietnam. Extensive awareness campaigns like this have proven to be really effective.” 

“I believe that broad-based education efforts, coupled with increased enforcement and closely coordinated actions among the nine participants of Programme 168, will help Vietnam achieve the set goals for IP right protection and compliance with the country’s international commitments,” Chan added.

Over the years, MOST, in the role of the Standing Committee of the action programme of action for IP infringement control, has been working closely with various interested international organisations to beef up education and awareness to help improve efficacy in IP protection.

As part of the efforts, the “One month campaign commemorating World Intellectual Property Day towards integration”, a joint initiative of MOST and BSA, now already in its second year, has been highly welcomed by both domestic and international stakeholders and communities for its effectiveness and efficiency in achieving the goal of IP right protection in Vietnam.