HCM CITY — A seminar discussing the importance of intellectual property law was held yesterday to support Vietnamese enterprises in light of the country’s pending WTO entry.

The seminar was organise by the Municipal Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Intellectual Property Association of HCM City (IPH).

“We would like to stress that intellectual property (IP) will play a vital role in Vietnamese businesses’ global competitiveness,” said vice director of DOST Truong Thuy Trang opening the seminar.

The Intellectual Property Law was approved by the National Assembly in late 2005 and became effective in July 1. However, the Government has only recently released two decrees to guide enterprises implementing the law.

“The law has provided a basic foundation to protect IP. The strict punishment of IP violation is especially important,” said Nguyen Van Bay, director of IPO’s training centre.

Bay advised that businesses need to define labels, models, inventions, brand names, geographic origin and copyrights for registered objects .

“Projects should be registered at their inception to ensure long-term development in the future,” he stressed.

Bay reminded that the law has increased punishment and protection for copyrights, with fines that reach VND60 million (US$3,700). Fake goods can also be confiscated while business operation maybe temporarily stopped for copyright violation.

“Therefore, registering is increasingly vital in the fiercely competitive global market,” said Bay.

Businesses can find all necessary information and procedures related to intellectual property at the IPO’s website, www.noip.gov.vn, or the DOST’s website, www.dost.hochiminhcity.gov.vn.

The IPH was recently established to support local businesses.

“IP has been a hot issue in Viet Nam for a long time,” said Nguyen Minh Duc, vice chairman of the IPH. “However, there hasn’t been any link between owners and State management offices. IPH has been set up to narrow the gap and assist local businesses with the new field,” said.

Next month, the IPH will begin providing IP fee consulting services to enterprises of all kinds.

IPH has 350 individual members along with 50 member organisations. — VNS