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The Market Management Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has introduced a handbook on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Awareness.

The handbook aims to help both local retailers and consumers gain a better understanding of the importance of the fight against the manufacturing and consumption of goods that infringe IPR.

Speaking at a press briefing in Hanoi on June 12 announcing the release of the handbook, the US Deputy Ambassador, Virginia Palmer, said “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 ”.

“If ideas are not protected, then businesses in Vietnam cannot enjoy the benefit of their inventions and concepts,” she noted.

She expressed her hope that the handbook, compiled under the auspices of the US Embassy in Vietnam and the US Department of State, would encourage retailers and vendors to obtain legitimate goods for sale to Vietnamese consumers.

The US diplomat also pledged to continue assisting Vietnamese businesses and consumers in the field.

The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Bui Xuan Khu, praised the US’s assistance, describing it as “an important contribution to Vietnam’s efforts to implement its strategy to combat counterfeit goods and IPR infringements.”

According to the Vietnamese government official, Vietnam has developed a finely-tuned and comprehensive legal system in line with its international commitments in the area, including the Commercial Law, the Intellectual Property Law, the Civil Code, the Criminal Code and other legal documents.

The Market Management Department reported that in 2008 it discovered more than 2,500 IPR infringements of industrial designs, labels, geographical indications, and trademarks, and handed down fines totaling up to VND7.8 billion.

Source: vietnamnet