Matters on Intellectual Property Rights Registration in Vietnam

Important Matters on Intellectual Property Rights Registration in Vietnam

In the process of development of global business, the growth of multinational corporations or business will help individuals and companies to bring their products to the world. In addition to bringing their products to customers, the protection of intellectual property rights for products created is extremely important and necessary. We would like to highlight important matters when registering for intellectual property rights protection in Vietnam.

First, in order to be able to register for protection of intellectual property rights, the protected product must meet all conditions to be protected under the provisions of the Intellectual Property Law of Vietnam.

 

Protect intellectual property rights in Vietnam

After meeting all of conditions for protection of intellectual property rights, the owner should pay attention to the procedures for registering intellectual property rights. According to the Intellectual Property Law 2005, the time of intellectual property rights to copyright is when products are created and expressed in a certain material form without needing to register. However, industrial property rights for inventions, industrial designs, layout designs, trademarks, geographical indications are established on the basis of a decision to grant protection titles by competent state agencies rights under the registration procedures prescribed in the Intellectual Property Law or recognition of international registration under the provisions of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; for well-known trademarks, ownership is established on the basis of use, regardless of the registration procedure. Therefore, in order to be able to establish their intellectual property rights for products created, the owner needs to register for product protection in accordance with regulations, the order given by the Law on Intellectual Property in Vietnam. 

In addition to the prescribed registration procedures, the owner should pay attention to the time of filing the application for protection, and it is suggested to submit the application as soon as possible. Under the provisions of the Intellectual Property Law, in cases where many applications for inventions are identical or similar, industrial designs are identical or not significantly different from each other, the protection title shall be granted only for an invention or industrial design on a valid application, the earliest priority date or filing date shall be among the applications that meet the conditions for being granted a protection title. In the case of multiple applications by different people registering marks that are identical or confusingly similar to each other for products or services that are identical or similar to each other or in the case of multiple applications of the same those who register identical marks for identical products or services, the protection title is only granted to the trademark in the valid application with the earliest priority date or filing date among the applications that meet the requirements sued to be granted a protection title. In case there are many applications for registration as stipulated above and all meet the conditions to be granted a protection title and have the same priority date or the earliest filing date, the protection title will only be granted to the subject of a single application of those applications as agreed by all applicants; if no agreement is reached, the corresponding objects of those applications are refused the protection certificate.

Therefore, in order to protect their intellectual property rights, the owner needs to meet all conditions for the product, in addition to necessary procedures as prescribed by law and promptly apply for a certificate of protection for the product. The protection of products will help individuals and companies gain competitive edge during their commercial operation, in addition to avoiding the risks of being infringed upon intellectual property rights.

ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with a team of experienced lawyers, IP consultants and IP services in Vietnam in the field of Intellectual Property will help customers implement procedures for registering intellectual property rights in the most effective way.

 

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How to Apply for an Copy Extract of Birth Certificate in Vietnam?

Extract of birth certificate is a document issued by a competent state agency to prove the birth fact of an individual registered at the civil status registry. According to the regulations in Vietnam, the original birth certificate cannot be re-issued. A birth extract is a certified true copy of the birth certificate. The reason people need to apply for a copy of the birth certificate extract is because the original copy of the civil status extract is lost or damaged.

 

According to the regulations, the authority whom issue copy extract of birth certificate will not depend on the place of residence of the person having the right to request, hence the requester can apply for a copy of extract birth certificate at civil status management agencies nationwide. However, at present, because the electronic civil status database system has not been synchronized nationwide, the request for issuance of a copy of civil status extract is still within the competence of the People’s Committee of the province, commune where the birth was originally registered. The birth certificate extract from the original has the same value as the original.

Applying for a copy of extract birth certificate is an administrative procedure. Specifically, the person who wishes to apply for a copy of extract birth certificate can do this by himself or authorize another person to carry out this procedure. In addition, the requester can apply in person or send it by post or submit an application online through the national public service portal.

In addition, the application for a copy of extract birth certificate must also comply with the regulations. Accordingly, the dossier includes: (i) Declaration; (ii) The original of one of the identification papers to prove identity; (iii) Power of attorney or documents proving the kinship relationship. The authorization must be made in writing and authenticated according to the law. In case, authorizing a relative, the authorization document does not need to be notarized or authenticated, but documents relating to the relationship with the authorizing person is needed. If the documents are in a foreign language, they must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized or authenticated by the translator’s signature as prescribed by law.

Within three working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the civil status registration and management agency will verify the dossier and compare the information in the electronic civil status database. If the request for certification is correct, a document certifying civil status information shall be returned to the requester. In case of having to check and verify, the time limit can be extended but not exceeding ten working days. If the birth registration data is not found, the civil status agency will normally send a written reply with the content not found in the data.

You could learn more about ANT Lawyers Birth Certificate Practice or contact our lawyers at ANT Lawyers – Law Firm in Vietnam for advice via email ant@antlawyers.vn or call our office at +84 28 730 86 529

 

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Notice of Receipt Application for Exemption from Trade Remedies in March 2022

On March 14^th, 2022, Trade Remedies Authority has issued Notification No. 06/TB-PVTM of receipt of application for exemption from trade remedies in March 2022 (Case No. SG04, SG06, AC10.SG04).

 

On March 03^rd, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No.715/QD-BCT extending the application of safeguard measures against imported DAP/MAP fertilizers holding the HS code: 3105.10.20; 3105.10.90; 3105.20.00; 3105.30.00; 3105.40.00; 3105.51.00; 3105.59.00; 3105.90.00.

On March 20^th, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 918/QD-BCT on extending the application of safeguard measures to imported billet and long steel products holding the HS code: 7207.11.00; 7207.19.00; 7207.20.29; 7207.20.99; 7224.90.00; 7213.10.10; 7213.10.90; 7213.91.20; 7214.20.31; 7214.20.41; 7227.90.00; 7228.30.10; 9811.00.00.

On March 20^th, 2020, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 920/QD-BCT on the extension of the application of measures to prevent evasion of trade remedies against imported coil and wire products holdings the HS code: 7213.91.90; 7217.10.10; 7217.10.29; 7229.90.99; 9839.10.00.

In order to submit the application for exemption for exemption from trade remedies, the Trade Remedies Authority requires enterprises that meet the conditions to be exempted to submit a dossier of application for exemption from application of trade remedies in the mentioned cases to provide all documents specified in Article 14 and Appendix 03 of the Circular No. 37/2019/TT-BCT.

The relevant parties must submit the application for exemption via online public service portal or send directly to Trade Remedies Authority before 17:00 April 13^th, 2022 (Hanoi time).

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers in Vietnam of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

 

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Conditions for Foreigners When Buying Houses in Vietnam

With open-door policies and a stable socio-economic situation, Vietnam is one of the countries with great attraction to foreign investors.  There are many foreign individuals and organizations come to Vietnam to live and work and a number of foreigners or foreign organizations wish to buy houses or apartments. Many real estate developers also wish to expand the customers base through selling houses and apartments to foreigners in Vietnam.

 

However, according to current law, foreigners or foreign organizations can buy houses and apartment in Vietnam; and real estate developers could sell houses and apartments in Vietnam but must meet some conditions.

First of all, to be able to buy a house in Vietnam, foreign individuals and organizations must be one of the subjects that can own houses in Vietnam. Specifically, foreign organizations and individuals that are allowed to own houses in Vietnam include: (i) foreign organizations and individuals investing in housing construction under projects in Vietnam; (ii) foreign-invested enterprises, branches, representative offices of foreign enterprises, foreign investment funds and foreign bank branches operating in Vietnam; (iii) foreigners whom are allowed to enter Vietnam. Accordingly, to be able to buy a house in Vietnam, these subjects must prove that they fully meet the conditions prescribed by law.

Specifically, foreign organizations and individuals investing in housing construction under projects in Vietnam must have an Investment Certificate and have houses built in the project according to regulations. For foreign organizations, they must set up company in Vietnam, have an investment certificate or a document related to being allowed to operate in Vietnam, issued by a competent Vietnamese state agency. Foreign individuals must be subject to permission to enter Vietnam and not be entitled to diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities.

Besides, depending on each different object, the documents proving the object and conditions for owning a house in Vietnam vary. For a foreign individual, s/he must have a valid passport with an entry verification stamp of the exit and entry management agency of Vietnam and not be eligible for special privileges and immunities. On the other hand, for foreign organizations, they must be eligible to own houses and have an Investment Registration Certificate or a document authorized by a competent Vietnamese agency to operate in Vietnam. In addition, these individuals and organizations should note that these documents must be valid at the time of signing the housing transactions.

Therefore, if organizations and individuals meet the above conditions, foreign individuals and organizations can purchase houses in Vietnam. However, it should be noted that foreign individuals can only own houses in Vietnam in the form of apartments or separate houses in an investment project to build commercial housing.

In addition, foreigners are also not allowed to purchase houses in areas that are subject of national defense and security under Vietnamese law. Further, foreign organizations and individuals are also limited in the number of ownership. Accordingly, foreign organizations and individuals are only allowed to own no more than 30% of the total number of apartments in an apartment building, and no more than 10% for an individual housing project of less than 2,500 units.

In general, purchasing houses for foreign individuals and organizations are subject to complicated legal conditions. Therefore, in order to ensure that the purchase of housing in Vietnam is in accordance with the regulations and to limit the risks arising, relevant individuals and organizations need to learn and seek legal advice and support from real estate dispute law firm in Vietnam.

 

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What Are New in Real Estate Trading Business in Vietnam From 2021?

What Are New in Real Estate Trading Business in Vietnam From 2021?

The Law on Investment 2020 takes effect from January 1, 2021 with many new highlights, including the amendment of conditions for real estate business in the Law on Real Estate Trading 2014.

 

Specifically, amending regulations on real estate business conditions in the Law on Real Estate Trading 2014 as follows: “Any organizations and individuals trading in real estate must set up enterprises or cooperatives (hereinafter referred to as an enterprise), except for the case specified in Clause 2 of this Article. ”

Clause 1, Article 10 of the 2014 Law on Real Estate Business stipulates that “Any organizations or individuals wish to conduct real estate trading shall set up enterprises or cooperatives (hereinafter referred to as enterprises) and have legal capital not smaller than VND 20 billion, excluding cases prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.”

In addition, the Law on Investment 2020 also amends regulations on the competence to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate projects. For real estate projects approved by investors or granted an investment registration certificate in accordance with the Law on Investment, the competence and procedures for the transfer of all or a portion of the project comply with regulations of the Law on Investment. For real estate projects not falling into the above cases, the competence to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate projects is as follows: Provincial People’s Committee decides to allow the transfer of all or a portion of the real estate projects for projects decided by the provincial People’s Committee to invest; The Prime Minister shall decide to permit the transfer of all or a portion of real estate project to projects for which the investment is decided by the Prime Minister.

In case organizations, households or individuals sell, transfer, lease, or lease purchase real estate on a small scale, rarely, it is not required for real estate enterprise to be set up, but they must declare and pay taxes according to the provisions of law.

ANT Lawyers - a real estate dispute law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.

 

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What Are the Conditions for Initiating an Anti-dumping Case in Vietnam

Anti-dumping measures as trade remedies are imposed to protect the domestic market against the unfair penetration and competition from foreign goods. GATT requires member countries to reduce tariffs as well as other non-tariff trade barriers on goods in general and to impose trade remedies in accordance with statutory conditions and procedures in particular.

 

What Are the Conditions for Initiating an Anti-dumping Case

The investigating authority must verify the satisfied conditions under regulations of the anti-dumping law and requests the Minister of Industry and Trade to issue a decision on the initiation of investigations. In order to comply with GATT and ADA, an anti-dumping investigation are initiated if (i) there is obvious evidence that import of dumped goods causes or threatens material injury to an established industry or materially retards the establishment of a domestic industry and (ii) organizations or individuals representing the domestic industry submit an application for the anti-dumping measures.

How to determine dumping actions and its consequences?

The dumping action is one of the conditions required as imposing anti-dumping measures.  A product is to be considered as being dumped (i.e. introduced into the commerce of another country at less than its normal value) if the export price of the product exported from one country to another is less than the comparable price, in the ordinary course of trade, for the like product when destined for consumption in the exporting country. Besides, the anti-dumping measure shall not be imposed on a product whose dumping margin is not more than 2% of its export price.

The investigating authority must determine whether the domestic established industry is materially injured or threatened material injury or establishment of a domestic industry is materially retarded or not. The investigating authority of the importing country shall be liable for proving these factors based on specific evidences.

A causal link between the dumped imports and the alleged injury is required. The dumping of goods imported into Vietnam causes or threatens material injury to an established industry or materially retards the establishment of a domestic industry. Factors other than dumping of goods imported into Vietnam such as trade restriction policy, development of technology, export capacity and productivity of domestic manufacturing industry, etc., will not be considered as effect caused by the dumping of goods.

Whom could request for imposing anti-dumping measures?

Investigation is conducted upon request of imposing anti-dumping measures by organizations or individuals representing the domestic industry. Organizations or individuals are deemed as representation of domestic industry if: The total production of like products produced by the applicant(s) and domestic producers supporting the application is greater than those produced by domestic producers that opposite to the application; and the total production of like products produced by the applicant(s) and domestic producers supporting the application accounts for at least 25% of total production of like products produced by the domestic industry.

Upon receiving a sufficient dossier as prescribed by the laws, the investigating authority shall conduct the dossier appraisal within a certain time limit and recommend the Minister of Industry and Trade to decide whether the investigation is initiated or not.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers in Vietnam of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

 

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Notice of Receipt Application for Exemption from Anti-dumping and Anti-subsidy Measures in Mar 2022

On November 29^th, 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade provided guidance on a number of extent on trade remedy measures under Circular No. 37/2019/TT-BCT for which Trade Remedies Authority requires enterprises that meet the conditions to be exempted to submit a dossier of application for exemption from anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for the specific cases.

 

Anti-dumping law firm in Vietnam

Regarding the dossiers of application for exemption from anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, the Trade Remedies Authority requires enterprises to provide all documents specified in Article 14 and Appendix 03 of the Circular No. 37/2019/TT-BCT.

In addition, for enterprises that have been granted an exemption for 2022 and are about to use up the granted exemption volume, enterprises can submit an additional application for exemption according to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 16 of Circular 37/ 2019/TT-BCT at any time in 2022.

The relevant parties must submit the application for exemption via online public service portal before 17:00 April 11^th, 2022 (Hanoi time).

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our competition, anti-dumping, and countervailing duty lawyers in Vietnam of International trade and tax practice at ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam always follow up anti-dumping cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

 

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