Vietnam’s intellectual property (IP) landscape is witnessing significant improvements, particularly in the appeal process for IP decisions. Recent regulatory changes and the establishment of new departments aim to streamline and expedite the resolution of appeals, which have historically been lengthy and cumbersome. 1. Establishment of the Inspection and Appeal Department On 1st July 2024, the […]
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Medical Device Management in Vietnam
Vietnam’s medical device management is overseen by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its subordinate agency, the Department of Medical Equipment and Construction (DMEC). The DMEC is responsible for regulating and controlling medical devices in Vietnam to ensure their safety, quality, and efficacy. Some of the areas covered by the Vietnamese’s medical device management regime […]
Changes to Patent Examination Guidelines Concerning Computer- Implemented Invention in Vietnam Effective April 2022
Computer programs are generally known as a set of instructions expressed in the form of source codes, and when being executed by a computer device, are capable of performing a task or achieving a result. In Vietnam, computer programs are recognized as literary works and are protected under the copyright regime. Therefore, computer programs […]
Patentability of Computer Related or Implemented Inventions (CRIs or CIIs) in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and India
Patent legislation and practice in the patentability assessment of computer related or implemented inventions differ from country to country. “Computer Related Inventions” (“CRIs”) or “Computer Implemented Inventions” (“CIIs”) has been given an explicit definition in some countries such as in Philippines and India. These countries both define CRIs or CIIs as those inventions involving computers, […]
Updates to Vietnam Patent and Trademark Procedures
Following on from our previous article on patent updates in Vietnam, this piece serves to summarise the key amendments made to both patent and trademark procedures by the NOIP commencing January 2018. New regulations with regard to patent and trademark procedures in Vietnam came into force on 15th January 2018. These amended regulations aim to […]
Updates to Vietnam Patent Regime
New regulations with regard to patent applications in Vietnam came into force on 15th January 2018. These amended regulations aim to bring the Vietnamese intellectual property system in line with recent developments. Below are three of the main changes based on guidelines laid out in Circular No. 16/2016/TT-BKHCN from the Ministry of Science and Technology, […]
Vietnam – Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Commences in April 2016 for Japanese Patent Applications
Japan and Vietnam implemented a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program that took effect on 01 April 2016. In 2014, approximately 50% of the total filed applications at the NOIP remained pending and unexamined. To facilitate the reduction of backlog at NOIP and expedite the patent examination process, NOIP signed its first Patent Prosecution Highway […]
ASEAN – Comparison of Design Practices
Design laws vary by country. Some countries classify designs as patents and some have separate “registered design” or “industrial design” systems. In some countries, designs of products must be whole products in order to be registrable and not parts of products. Some countries allow protection of only part or parts of the product but the […]
IP Protection in Vietnam: Government Tightens Enforcement Against Counterfeiting
In Vietnam, the regulatory system to protect intellectual property rights was first put in place in 2005 through the Law on Intellectual Property. However, over the years, inherent deficiencies and administrative loopholes have severely undermined the efficacy of the system and made it difficult for the owners of IP rights and the authorities alike to […]
Vietnam Franchising: Anticipate the Steps to Opening Up for Business
With a cold, hard and long recession in the west it is no wonder that franchisors are excited about new and emerging markets in ASEAN countries. Vietnam in particular has an attractive consumer pool with a population of 86 million, half of which are below 25 years of age. Although in some countries (such as […]