Copyright Forum 2024: More joint initiatives would be welcome in Vietnam, says IP lawyer
08 May 2024
Authorities from the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency (KCOPA) collaborated to mount the Copyright Forum 2024 held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 26, 2024.
The forum is an annual activity under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the MOCST and the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013.
The forum focused on copyright protection issues in the digital space. Among the topics discussed was the need for strong technology-based solutions to address problems associated with online copyright protection, such as the automated software developed by Korea against eavesdropping apps. KCOPA President Park Jungyoul expressed his willingness to work with Vietnam for technology transfer initiatives involving the software.
Tran Manh Hung, Head of IP and Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Protection, Baker McKenzie, Hanoi
Copyright Forum 2024 also discussed policy trends in the copyright realm in connection with AI, online intermediaries and their responsibilities in the fight against digital copyright infringement and ways to boost bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Korea where copyright protection is concerned, among others.
“I observe that Vietnam has also been actively engaging in similar interactions with various countries. Thus, more joint initiatives of this kind with other countries will certainly be welcomed by the Vietnamese competent authorities, especially the MOCST and the Copyright Office of Vietnam,” said Tran Manh Hung, head of IP and technology, cybersecurity and data protection at Baker McKenzie in Hanoi.
According to him, copyright protection has escalated into a serious issue in Vietnam and has become a concern among the country’s trade partners.
“This forum underscores Vietnam’s determination to enforce copyright and protect intellectual property rights, aligning with its international commitments. Furthermore, via the event, Vietnam has also presented its wish and commitment to promote a competitive cultural industry capable of contributing significantly to Vietnam’s GDP in the future as well as to increase Vietnam’s credibility with trade partners and the attractiveness of its investment environment,” added Tran.
He said choosing Korea as a partner in organizing the Copyright Forum 2024 was a logical and beneficial choice as South Korea has shown proactive initiatives towards Vietnam, including the bilateral ties established between the two countries.
“Over the past years, the cultural exchange and social and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Korea have experienced remarkable growth. The Korean entertainment industry, in particular, has deeply penetrated and made a profound impact on the Vietnamese public. This mutual influence and shared interests make a partnership with Korea for our copyright forum a logical and beneficial choice for the MOCST,” revealed Tran.
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon
