The cases were initiated by the Ministry’s Department of Police for Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes Investigation (C03) following directives from Prime Ministerial Dispatch No. 38 issued on May 5, 2026, aimed at strengthening enforcement against intellectual property violations.

On May 15, investigators formally launched five criminal cases under Article 225 of Vietnam’s Penal Code for “infringing copyright and related rights.”

Among those charged is Nguyen Hai Binh, CEO of BH Media, one of Vietnam’s largest digital content and copyright distribution companies.

Authorities also prosecuted Vo Van Nam, director of Lululola Entertainment; Nguyen Minh Duc and Ngo Thanh Tung from entertainment group 1900 Group; Vo Hoang Viet and Nguyen Trung Truong Huy of May Sai Gon Company; and Diep Van Lap, better known as bolero singer Quang Lap, owner of the Giong Ca De Doi music channel and performance center.

According to investigators, BH Media signed agreements with music venues and live show organizers to record performances by singers and musicians.

The company then allegedly edited, copied and uploaded those recordings to YouTube channels without obtaining permission from authors or copyright owners.

Advertising revenue generated from the content was reportedly transferred back to BH Media and distributed among related parties under pre-arranged revenue-sharing agreements.

Investigators estimate the operation generated around VND6 billion ($235,000) in profits.

Authorities said Quang Lap’s Giong Ca De Doi center both hosted performances and recorded music content before partnering with BH Media to upload the videos to YouTube.

The investigation determined that the parties involved failed to obtain proper authorization or pay copyright fees to rights holders.

During questioning, Nguyen Hai Binh acknowledged that publishing music content without permission or royalty payments violated Vietnam’s Intellectual Property Law.

He said individuals and companies involved in content production should carefully study copyright regulations and seek authorization before using protected works.

Quang Lap also admitted wrongdoing and pledged to cooperate with authorities, remedy the consequences and avoid repeating similar violations.

Nguyen Trung Truong Huy, director of May Sai Gon Company, said many businesses in the industry remained unclear about copyright rules surrounding recording and distribution rights.

He described the investigation as a “costly lesson” for both individuals and companies operating in Vietnam’s entertainment sector.

The Ministry of Public Security said investigators are continuing to expand the probe, clarify the responsibilities of those involved and recover related assets.

Authorities have also instructed police departments nationwide to strengthen enforcement against similar copyright violations.

The cases have sent shockwaves through Vietnam’s entertainment industry, where many of the accused are well-known operators of music venues, digital channels and artist platforms.

BH Media describes itself as a digital content and copyright management company operating more than 1,000 YouTube channels and over 150 Facebook and TikTok pages.

The company has long presented itself as an official YouTube partner in Vietnam and a provider of copyright protection services.

Following news of the prosecutions, several Vietnamese musicians and producers publicly commented on the growing importance of copyright enforcement in the country’s entertainment industry.

Composer Duong Cam said the cases highlighted how failing to understand copyright law could destroy long-built brands and careers.

Music producer ViruSs noted that confusion over copyright distribution and rights management remained widespread among Vietnamese music creators.

Other artists said the investigation could mark a turning point for Vietnam’s cultural industry, where intellectual property rights are increasingly being treated as protected assets under the law.

Dinh Hieu - Mi Le