Vietnamese police have recently launched a series of criminal investigations into large-scale intellectual property violations, including a copyright infringement case involving BH Media and the country's first criminal case related to software copyright infringement.

On June 11, the Investigation Police Agency of Phu Tho Province Police formally opened a criminal case for "Copyright and Related Rights Infringement" under Article 225 of the Penal Code. Authorities simultaneously carried out urgent searches at five locations in Hanoi and Phu Tho linked to companies supplying computers and software installation services.

The case is the first criminal prosecution in Vietnam involving the unauthorized use of copyrighted computer software.

Investigators from the Economic Police Division of Phu Tho Province determined that Song Lam Trading and Services Co., Ltd., based in Nong Trang Ward, Phu Tho Province, and headed by director Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, supplied 81 computers to businesses and organizations in the province.

According to investigators, the computers were installed with Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office software activated through illegal tools, including cracked software, unauthorized license keys and activation programs designed to bypass copyright protection mechanisms.

First nationwide criminal case involving pirated software

Expanding the investigation to an educational institution in the province, police discovered an additional 350 computers showing similar signs of copyright violations. The devices had been supplied by Athena Vietnam Information Systems Co., Ltd., headquartered in Hanoi and renamed Athena Vietnam Information Systems Joint Stock Company in April 2025, and Tek-Solution Technology Solutions Co., Ltd.

Authorities estimated that legitimate Windows and Microsoft Office licenses are worth between $154 and $346 per computer. Total direct damages are estimated to amount to tens of billions of Vietnamese dong.

Investigators also warned that illegally activated software poses serious cybersecurity risks, including malware infections, spyware installation and unauthorized data theft.

The Phu Tho case is not the first major copyright-related prosecution.

Earlier, on May 15 and 16, the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Police Department (C03) launched five criminal cases and charged seven individuals with "Copyright and Related Rights Infringement."

Those charged included Nguyen Hai Binh, General Director of BH Media; Vo Van Nam, Director of Lululola Entertainment Co., Ltd.; Nguyen Minh Duc and Ngo Thanh Tung of 1900 Group in Ha Long; Vo Hoang Viet and Nguyen Trung Truong Huy, directors of May Sai Gon Co., Ltd., operating in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat; and singer Diep Van Lap, better known as Quang Lap and owner of the Giong Ca De Doi music center.

According to investigators, Nguyen Hai Binh signed agreements with music venues and event organizers to record live performances of copyrighted musical works. The recordings were subsequently edited, copied and uploaded to YouTube channels without permission from authors or copyright holders.

Advertising revenue generated from the content was transferred to BH Media.

At the Giong Ca De Doi center, Diep Van Lap allegedly performed in and organized recording sessions for musical works before copying the content and signing agreements with BH Media to upload it to YouTube without obtaining authorization or paying royalties to copyright owners.

Investigators alleged that Vo Hoang Viet and Nguyen Trung Truong Huy of May Sai Gon obtained permits for live performances but separately recorded and filmed copyrighted works before distributing them online through BH Media without authorization.

Authorities estimated that BH Media and related parties generated approximately VND6 billion, equivalent to about $231,000, from these activities. Revenue was reportedly shared among participants according to pre-arranged percentages.

Nationwide crackdown on intellectual property violations

On May 5, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung issued Urgent Dispatch No. 38, directing authorities to intensify efforts against intellectual property violations.

The directive calls for nationwide enforcement campaigns with no exemptions or restricted areas. The Ministry of Public Security has been assigned to investigate and prosecute serious copyright infringement cases while dismantling organizations operating large-scale copyright-infringing websites.

The recent prosecutions reflect a broader push by authorities to strengthen intellectual property protection as Vietnam's digital economy expands and concerns grow over copyright enforcement in software, entertainment and online content industries.

Duc Phong