Vietnam is reviewing its intellectual property enforcement framework and considering tougher administrative penalties to improve deterrence and meet international commitments.
On June 2, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung chaired a conference reviewing the implementation of the Prime Minister's directive on intensifying measures to combat, prevent and handle intellectual property rights violations.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh presents a report at the conference. Photo: VGP
According to a report from the Ministry of Science and Technology, as of May 30, authorities had detected 2,036 cases showing signs of intellectual property infringement. Of these, 1,616 cases were subject to administrative penalties totaling nearly USD 688,000.
The value of infringing goods handled by authorities reached more than USD 4.44 million. More than 1,600 organizations and individuals were sanctioned in accordance with the law.
Notably, enforcement efforts against violations in the digital environment have been significantly strengthened. Authorities blocked access to 1,073 infringing websites, including 263 pirate movie sites, 177 unauthorized novel websites, 612 illegal television streaming platforms and 21 e-commerce websites suspected of infringing industrial property rights.
Law enforcement agencies initiated criminal proceedings in 44 cases involving intellectual property violations. Prosecutors approved decisions to prosecute 43 cases, while five cases moved to prosecution. Four cases were accepted and brought to trial, involving four defendants.
Examined by category of intellectual property rights, trademark and geographical indication violations continued to account for the overwhelming majority of cases. Of all administrative cases handled, 1,587 involved trademark and geographical indication infringements, representing more than 98% of all cases.
There were 27 cases involving copyright and related rights violations, while other intellectual property categories accounted for two cases.
In criminal enforcement, authorities initiated seven cases involving copyright and related rights violations and 37 cases involving industrial property rights infringements.
The Ministry of Public Security detected, investigated and verified 148 cases showing signs of intellectual property violations and handled 128 cases, including 44 criminal prosecutions.
Police also dismantled several major online infringement networks, including illegal football streaming websites such as CakhiaTV and Rakhoi TV. The total value of seized infringing goods exceeded USD 1.08 million.
Law enforcement agencies played a central role in blocking more than 1,000 websites violating copyright and industrial property rights, helping improve the integrity of the digital environment and protect the interests of rights holders.
Compared with May 2025, the number of cases handled increased by 370.6%, or 4.7 times. Administrative fines rose by 314.8%, while the value of seized evidence and goods increased by 827.5%, far surpassing the government's minimum target of a 20% increase.
In his concluding remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung emphasized that in just over three weeks of the nationwide campaign, authorities across the country had uncovered more than 2,000 suspected violations and imposed administrative sanctions on 1,616 cases, while expanding the use of criminal proceedings in serious cases.
However, he stressed that these achievements represented only an initial step, noting that intellectual property protection and enforcement still face significant shortcomings that must be addressed.
New nationwide campaign targets at least 20% increase in enforcement
Deputy Prime Minister: Local authorities must strive to increase the number of detected and handled violations by at least 20% compared with 2025. Implementation results will serve as an important criterion for evaluating each locality's performance. Photo: VGP
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung instructed ministries, agencies and local authorities to launch a new intensive enforcement campaign, conduct comprehensive reviews of the situation and pursue more aggressive action against intellectual property violations.
The entire enforcement system is expected to increase the number of detected and handled intellectual property violations by at least 20% compared with 2025, covering all stages from inspection and administrative enforcement to criminal investigation, prosecution and trial.
"This is not only a domestic requirement but also an important basis for Vietnam to demonstrate to international partners its determination and tangible effectiveness in protecting intellectual property rights," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Government agencies were instructed to urgently review all legal provisions related to intellectual property enforcement. Particular attention will be given to studying administrative penalties for intellectual property violations to ensure stronger deterrence.
The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to strengthen inspections and oversight of ministries, agencies and local governments, promptly identifying and correcting shortcomings in implementation.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was directed to comprehensively review regulations governing copyright and related rights and clearly define the responsibilities of each agency in the digital environment.
The ministry was also tasked with strictly handling unauthorized copying, use and exploitation of copyrighted works, broadcasting programs, audio recordings and video recordings, while effectively preventing the online distribution of infringing content.
The Ministry of Public Security was instructed to continue intensifying investigations and enforcement actions against intellectual property violations and to expand the use of criminal measures in cases that meet prosecution thresholds to ensure the strict application of the law.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade was asked to direct market surveillance forces to conduct intensive inspection campaigns in key locations, focusing on counterfeit products, imitation goods, industrial property infringements and violations occurring through e-commerce platforms.
Local authorities nationwide are required to increase the number of detected and handled violations by at least 20% compared with 2025. Performance in achieving this target will be a key criterion in evaluating each locality's completion of assigned duties.
Vietnamnet.vn
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