The Vietnam Intellectual Property Office (IP Vietnam), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the Japan Institute for Promoting Invention and Innovation (JIII) jointly organized the seminar on “Protection and Enforcement of Trademark Rights on E-Commerce Platforms” on November 22, 2024, in Hanoi.
As part of the ongoing collaboration between IP Vietnam and JPO, numerous cooperative activities have been implemented over the years. In addition to initiatives tailored for intellectual property (IP) agencies, the two organizations have prioritized conferences and seminars aimed at raising public awareness and engaging other societal stakeholders on diverse IP-related topics. On November 22, 2024, in Hanoi, IP Vietnam, JPO, and JIII held a seminar focusing on “Protection and Enforcement of Trademark Rights on E-Commerce Platforms.” This event marked the ninth seminar since 2005, which is co-organized biennially in Vietnam. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted this tradition since 2019, and this year’s seminar reflects a concerted effort by both Vietnam and Japan to resume this initiative.
The seminar was attended by Mr. Tran Le Hong, Deputy Director General of IP Vietnam; Ms. Yoshino Sachiyo, Director of International Cooperation Division, JPO; and experts and speakers from JPO, APIC/JIII, JETRO Bangkok, and JICA. Also participating were speakers from IP Vietnam, the Department of E-Commerce and Digital Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, IPMAX Law Firm, and more than 100 delegates from IP enforcement agencies, universities, and enterprises.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Tran Le Hong highlighted the growing prominence of e-commerce in the context of the global innovation-driven economy. Intellectual property, particularly trademarks, plays a critical role in determining the success or failure of businesses operating on e-commerce platforms. IP rights ensure fair competition and constitute valuable assets embedded in products and services traded on e-commerce platforms. However, due to the distinct characteristics of e-commerce, protecting and enforcing IP rights in this domain is significantly more challenging than in traditional commerce, especially in the context of cross-border e-commerce. These challenges are universal and include Vietnam.
Ms. Yoshino Sachiyo also emphasized in her opening remarks that the seminar’s theme holds great significance for the relevant agencies of both countries. E-commerce has grown rapidly in Japan in recent years, accompanied by increasing incidences of counterfeit goods and IP infringements. Japan has been proactive in enhancing related legislation, including the Trademark Act, the Design Act, the Tax Act, and the Customs Act, and has established mechanisms for coordination among agencies to enforce accountability for violations. Japan is also keenly interested in Vietnam’s legislative and enforcement efforts regarding e-commerce and IP.
Japanese and Vietnamese speakers discussed emerging challenges in the field of IP related to e-commerce, particularly the practices of protecting, enforcing, and managing trademark rights on e-commerce platforms in both countries. Topics included:
- Current practices in trademark management and enforcement in Japan.
- Japan’s efforts in enforcing trademark rights on e-commerce platforms.
- Legal regulations and practices in controlling and handling trademark infringements on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam.
- Difficulties and challenges in enforcing trademark rights on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam.
Delegates, including representatives from e-commerce platforms and enforcement agencies, exchanged views and proposed solutions to foster the development of e-commerce while better protecting the IP rights of organizations and individuals, particularly trademark rights, on this critical digital platform. These solutions are essential to safeguarding consumer rights as well.
Speakers and participants highly appreciated the seminar’s content and the shared insights. They expressed hope that IP Vietnam and relevant agencies would continue supporting both domestic and foreign businesses in effectively protecting and enforcing IP rights in Vietnam, contributing to a fair and sustainable business environment.
Some photos from the seminar:
Center for Research, Training, and Support, and Consultation.
