Enhancing measures for intellectual property enforcement

Digital transformation and intellectual property (IP) are becoming key factors determining the competitiveness and sustainable development of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

An IP training program is organized by the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology in late April 2026.

To adapt to this trend, businesses need to proactively register IP rights early for trademarks, industrial designs, patents, copyrights, and domain names to safeguard their brands and minimize legal risks during business operations.

Challenges in the digital age

IP can generate revenue for businesses through licensing, selling, or commercializing IP-protected products or services. At the same time, IP can enhance a company's value in the eyes of investors and financial institutions.

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology, stated that when IP rights are effectively protected and exploited, they provide a foundation for businesses to develop sustainably, expand markets, and enhance product value and competitiveness. However, during the process of integration and digital transformation, businesses face numerous IP-related risks.

For example, businesses may encounter trademark squatting in domestic and international markets due to a lack of proactive protection; brand counterfeiting and infringement in e-commerce and social media environments; unintentional infringement of others' IP rights due to insufficient legal knowledge; and the leakage of technological secrets, data, and product designs in the digital environment. Therefore, businesses need to change their mindset and regard IP as a strategic asset requiring long-term development rather than merely a legal formality.

Market surveillance officers inspect product labels at a store in Tran Bien ward. Photo: Hai Quan

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh, Director of the Center for IP and Technology Transfer at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, noted that the greatest risk facing businesses today is the failure to properly identify their intellectual assets. Many businesses possess technology, trademarks, designs, data, processes, and trade secrets but do not consider them assets requiring protection. As a result, they are vulnerable to delayed registration, incorrect registration, loss of patent novelty due to premature disclosure, leakage of trade secrets, and difficulties in proving ownership when disputes arise.

In addition, businesses risk infringing on the rights of others, particularly when using software, images, data, source code, designs, technology, or digital content without first verifying IP rights. This risk becomes even greater as businesses expand into international markets. For start-ups, the risk is more serious because they often grow rapidly while their legal management remains weak.

Strengthening IP protection

In early May 2026, the Government issued an official dispatch directing the implementation of decisive measures to combat, prevent, and address acts of IP infringement.

As Dong Nai’s state management agency for IP, the Department of Science and Technology will implement a comprehensive set of solutions to raise awareness of IP among businesses.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tu Diep Cong Thanh, Director of the Center for IP and Technology Transfer at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, stated that localities, including Dong Nai, need to strengthen their capacity for IP enforcement and the prevention of counterfeit goods, imitations, and infringements of trademarks, designs, copyrights, and trade secrets, particularly in e-commerce.

Vo Hoang Khai, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Science and Technology, said that the department will promote the dissemination of legal knowledge on IP through the press, television, digital platforms, and conferences to raise awareness among businesses and the public, thereby gradually fostering an IP culture in society.

At the same time, the department will strengthen guidance and support for businesses, cooperatives, and One Commune, One Product (OCOP) entities in registering trademarks, collective marks, certification marks, and geographical indications, while assisting them in managing, exploiting, and developing intellectual assets after protection has been granted.

The Department of Science and Technology will also support businesses in searching and utilizing IP databases, enhancing intellectual asset management capacity, and developing brands associated with digital transformation, traceability, and e-commerce. At the same time, the department will coordinate with relevant agencies to strengthen inspections and address acts of IP infringement, counterfeit goods, and imitations, particularly involving OCOP products, local specialty products, and business activities in the digital environment.

According to the Market Surveillance Sub-Department under the Department of Industry and Trade, in May 2026, market surveillance forces launched a peak campaign to monitor, inspect, and address acts of IP infringement in the city. As part of the campaign, market surveillance teams were required to focus their inspections on organizations and individuals operating in markets, shopping centers, stores, warehouses, and key transportation routes for goods with a high risk of counterfeiting and IP infringement. The market surveillance teams also accelerated the monitoring of business activities on e-commerce platforms and social networks such as Facebook, TikTok, and Zalo, while increasing oversight of livestream sales and applying professional measures and electronic data collection to promptly detect and address violations.

During the campaign, authorities inspected 60 cases and detected and handled 47 violations related to IP rights and trademark counterfeiting. Total administrative fines collected for the state budget exceeded 421 million VND. In addition, the authorities intensified the dissemination of legal regulations concerning IP, counterfeit goods, and IP-infringing goods.

By Hai Quan – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha