Government Releases IPR Handbook
12 November 2012
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Market Management Department and the US State Department hope that retailers and consumers alike will have a better grasp of the importance of intellectual property rights following the release of an IPR handbook.
The book is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the fight against the manufacture and use of infringing goods.
“Protection of intellectual property – that is, protecting people’s creations and inventions – is vital to fostering cultural vitality and artistic innovation and protecting the creative talents of everyone in Vietnam,” said US deputy ambassador Virginia Palmer, speaking at a June 12 press conference in Hanoi announcing the launch of the handbook. “If ideas are not protected, then businesses in Vietnam cannot enjoy the benefit of their inventions and concepts,” she noted.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Bui Xuan Khu praised the assistance given to Vietnam by the US, saying it makes “an important contribution to Vietnam’s efforts to implement its strategy to combat counterfeit goods and IPR infringements.” The US State Department was heavily involved in creation of the handbook.
In 2008, the Market Management Department imposed fines totaling D7.8 billion (US$438,000) against infringers.
