Trademark Infringement lawyers in Vietnam assist trademark infringement

 Trademark Infringement lawyers in Vietnam assist trademark infringement

Self protection of trademark infringement in Vietnam 

Owners of trademarks may need a lot of time and effort to protect themselves from trademark infringement in Vietnam. It is recommended to talk with brand name encroachment attorneys in Vietnam for help in light of the fact that the comprehension of specialized matters, lawful grounds and business practice in Vietnam.

The trademark owner in Vietnam has the self-protection right to: (i) apply technological measures to prevent acts of trademark infringement in Vietnam; (ii) request the organization or individual who commits an act of trademark infringement to terminate such act, make a public apology or rectification, and compensate damages when detecting the act of trademark infringement; iii) Make a request to the appropriate authority to deal with trademark infringement in accordance with the laws.

To begin, the infringing party can inform the infringing party that the infringed trademark is protected and that the infringing party is not to infringe in order to implement technological measures to prevent acts of trademark infringement. This information can include information about the original of emergence, the trademark certificate, the protection and duration scope, as well as other information about the right of the trademark owner. In addition, the owner of the trademark that is being infringed upon may employ the technical means or measures to mark, identify, distinguish, and safeguard the trademark that is being infringed upon.

Besides, the proprietor could likewise demand association or person who commits a demonstration of brand name encroachment to end such demonstration, make a general acknowledgment or correction, and remunerate harms. In particular, trademark owners can send information about the origin of the infringement, a trademark certificate, the protection scope, the duration of the protection, and a reasonable time frame for the infringer to stop the act of infringement to the infringer, or they can authorize an IP attorney in Vietnam to send this information to the infringer.

Additionally, the content of the written request will vary based on the situation and degree of infringement. This could be referred to as a prior-should-use measure taken prior to implementing technological measures. Both parties will save time and money if the violating party cooperates and stops the infringement.

Thirdly, proprietor of brand name could demand the capable position to manage demonstrations of brand name encroachment as per the arrangements of regulations.

When the trademark owner sends the above-mentioned request to the infringing party and the infringing party refuses to cooperate and continues the infringement, the infringing party may send the following information to the competent authority: date that the request was made; the name and address of the violator or their representative; name of getting demand authority; the name and address of the party infringing; in the event of a request for a temporary cessation of customs clearance for exports or imports suspected of infringement, the name and address of the suspected violator; brief data of encroached brand name and encroachment; suggested ways to deal with infringement; documents and evidence that are included with the request

The petitioner may request administrative, civil, criminal, or customs measures from the appropriate authorities based on the seriousness of the violation. It should be noted that additional information on the mode of import or export, country of exportation, mode of packaging, the lawful importer or exporter, and features of lawfully imported or exported goods for distinction from infringing goods must be provided when a request for temporary cessation of customs clearance for imports or exports suspected of infringement is sent to the custom authority.

How trademark infringement lawyers in Vietnam could help with trademark infringement in Vietnam?

In general, it is crucial to safeguard intellectual property rights. In addition, working with an IP attorney in Vietnam will make the registration, management, and protection of intellectual property from infringement as well as the handling of disputes against IP violators in Vietnam through administrative measures, civil litigation, or even criminal prosecution, all more efficient.

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Trademark Consultant in Vietnam

Trademarks are an important part of client company’s competitive edge. ANT Lawyers IP practice helps you protect these valuable intellectual assets, through trademark registration, oppositions, and other trademark protection resolutions in Vietnam.

It has been obvious that the protections of trademark have created significant value in intangible assets. Hence, the manufacturers of various products and service providers could establish and protect their identities and the identities of their products or services in the marketplace through the creation and protection of names, designs, logos, and explore strategies for protecting potentially valuable trademarks. Further, it is important to be ready to design an ongoing maintenance strategy to protect, extend, and maximize the value of trademarks, and discuss strategies for responding to possible trademark infringement if any.

ANT Lawyers IP practice helps you protect these valuable intellectual assets through trademark registration, oppositions, and other trademark protection resolutions in Vietnam.

 

Trademark consultant in Vietnam

In particular, ANT Lawyers IP practice offers client services as following:

-Trademark Availability Searches

-Trademark Watch Service

-Trademark Filings & Trademark Registration in Vietnam

-Renewals

-Recordals of Amendments, Assignments, Merger Agreements, Licences

-Filing Opposition & Responses

Our trademark attorneys in Vietnam will process client’s trademark registration by carrying out the following steps:

-Providing our clients with cost estimates for searching and filing applications

-Conducting comprehensive clearance searches including analysis about registration of the required trademarks and providing advice on the most appropriate and cost-effective method to obtain a clearance

-Preparing and filing trademark applications, including obtaining appropriate legalization of documents and translations (if applicable)

-Responding to objections raised by Registrars and potential third party oppositions

-Negotiating settlement agreements when necessary to overcome prior marks

-Obtaining a Certificate of Trademark Registration once your trademark is approved

-Recording changes in name and address of proprietor, assignments, licenses and renewals of trademarks

-Providing solutions for trademark protection in Vietnam.

If you are looking for an experienced IP services in Vietnam to help you with your Trademark application, you should visit ANTLawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the IP process and will work closely with you as you apply for your Trademark in Vietnam.  

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Trademark consultant in Vietnam

 

Trademarks are an important part of client company’s competitive edge. ANT Lawyers IP practice helps you protect these valuable intellectual assets, through trademark registration, oppositions, and other trademark protection resolutions in Vietnam.

 

Trademark consultant in Vietnam

In particular, ANT Lawyers IP practice offers client services as following:

-Trademark Availability Searches

-Trademark Watch Service

-Trademark Filings & Trademark Registration in Vietnam

-Renewals

-Recordals of Amendments, Assignments, Merger Agreements, Licences

-Filing Opposition & Responses

Our trademark attorneys in Vietnam will process client’s trademark registration by carrying out the following steps:

-Providing our clients with cost estimates for searching and filing applications

-Conducting comprehensive clearance searches including analysis about registration of the required trademarks and providing advice on the most appropriate and cost-effective method to obtain a clearance

-Preparing and filing trademark applications, including obtaining appropriate legalization of documents and translations (if applicable)

-Responding to objections raised by Registrars and potential third party oppositions

-Negotiating settlement agreements when necessary to overcome prior marks

-Obtaining a Certificate of Trademark Registration once your trademark is approved

-Recording changes in name and address of proprietor, assignments, licenses and renewals of trademarks

-Providing solutions for trademark protection in Vietnam.

If you are looking for an experienced IP services in Vietnam to help you with your Trademark application, you should visit ANTLawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the IP process and will work closely with you as you apply for your Trademark in Vietnam.

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Recordal of Trademark Assignment

 

Assignment of a trademark right means the transfer of ownership right by owner of such trademark right to another organization or individual.

Trademark Assignment in Vietnam be established in the form of written agreement. Oral agreements, letters or telegrams shall not be accepted and have no legal effect. 

 

Recordal of Trademark Assignment in Vietnam

Required documents

You are required to provide us the following documents:

-One executed original of Deed of Assignment, which must be signed and sealed by both Assignor and Assignee. Since the Deed of Assignment has two pages, both Assignor and Assignee should sign on each page or use company stamp to inter-cross seal over all pages (NO      further notarization or legalization is required);

-A Power of Attorney (POA) that should only be signed by the Representative of Assignee; 

-The relevant original Certificate of Trademark Registration (if recording the assignment for a registered one).

Procedures and time

After the recordal of assignment is completed, the NOIP will issue the following documents:

-The Notice of Assignment Recordal in case of a pending Trademark Application.

-The Certificate for Registration of Deed of Assignment in case of Trademark Registration in Vietnam.

In addition, the name and address of new owner will be endorsed on the last page of this Certificate of Trademark Registration.

The whole duration for recordal of assignment in Vietnam will in straightforward case is 2 months counted from the filing date. However, in practice, this duration can be extended from 3-6 months.

Other matters

Under Vietnam Intellectual Property Law, the trademark assignment will not be approved in the following cases:

-The subject mark for assignment identical/confusingly similar to the trade name of assignor as it shall cause the confusion as to the origin of goods or services with those of assignor. 

-The subject mark for assignment similar or identical to other trademarks but not for assignment of Assignor in respect of similar goods or services as it shall cause the confusion as to the origin of goods or services with the rest of assignor.

If you are looking for an experienced IP services in Vietnam to help you with your IP application, you should visit ANTLawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the IP process and will work closely with you as you apply for your IP.

 

 

 

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How do you get trademark registration?

What is Trademark?

The term ‘Trademark’ refers to the brand or logo which represents the business. It is a visual symbol of a signature, name, device, label, numerals or combination of colors used by the owner of the trademark for goods or services or any other articles of commerce. Moreover, it is meant to differentiate among the similar products or services originated from the different business. A trademark can be a word, wrapper, packaging labels or a tagline or a combination of these. For example Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

 

Who can apply for the Trademark?

Any Individual, Company, Proprietor or legal entity who can claim to be an owner of the Trademark can apply for it. The trademark Registration formalities can be done in 18 to 24 months after that you can start using the ‘TM’ symbol. Once your trademark registry is done and registration certificate is issued then you may use ® (registered symbol) next to your trademark. The validity of a registered trademark is for 10 years from the date of filing and that can be renewed from time to time.

What are the documents required for Trademark Registration?

Following are the documents which are required for the Trademark registration:

-Copy of Trademark or logo

-Applicant details like name, address, and nationality and for the company it requires the state of incorporation

-Goods or services to register

-Date of first use of the trademark in Vietnam

-Power of attorney which is to be signed by the applicant.

-What are the steps for registering Trademark in Vietnam?

Following are the steps through which you can register your Trademark:

-Select a trademark agent and authorize it.

-Select attorney to represent you.

-The trademark attorneys in Vietnam conducts a trademark search.

-It depends upon the results of the search whether the trademark attorney will be draft your trademark or not. Just in case, someone already has the same trademark then you can change yours.

-The trademark attorney will file your trademark application with the trademark office and send you the receipt.

-Within a few days, the trademark attorney will send you the Original Representation Sheet of your trademark as it has been filed with the trademark office.

-No matter what the place is, it takes anywhere around 18 months to 2 years for the Trademark Office to decide whether the trademark should be granted or not. In case, if there are any objections from anywhere then it may take longer.

If you are looking for an experienced IP services in Vietnam to help you with your IP application, you should visit ANT Lawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the IP process and will work closely with you as you apply for your IP.

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What To Do When the Trademark Certificate is Misplaced?

Trademark is a type of asset of individual and organization. To be officially recognized as an owner of that trademark, the applicant needs to submit the trademark registration dossiers to National Office of Intellectual Property in Vietnam (NOIP), pay the examination fee and certificate issuance fee to receive the trademark certificate.

Trademark protection in Vietnam

The trademark owner needs to have the consciousness of protecting the trademark certificate. However, if unfortunately, the trademark certificate is misplaced, lost or damaged, torn, stained or faded out that it can no longer be used, the trademark owner may submit the dossier to NOIP to request for regranting the trademark certificate.

The specific required documents for re-granting the trademark certificate are:

-The declaration for regranting the trademark certificate;

-01 mark specimen;

-Power of attorney (if submit the dossiers via IP agent).

NOIP will consider the dossier within 01 month from the date of submitting. In case the dossier satisfies the provisions of law, NOIP will issue the decision to regrant the trademark certificate and record into the National Register of Industrial Property. The information in the duplicate version of the trademark certificate will present sufficiently the information in the first-granted trademark certificate and attached with the phrase “regranting version”.

In case of request for regranting the trademark certificate does not meet the provisions of law, NOIP will issue the denied decision and clearly sates the reasons.

If the client needs any other information or requires for further advice, our IP attorney in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers, the IP agent in Vietnam will be available for service.

ANT Lawyers in a law firm in Vietnam, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000. We are an exclusive Vietnam member of Prea Legal, the global law firm network covering more than 150 jurisdictions. The firm provides a range of legal services to multinational and domestic clients. For advice or services request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.

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What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a type of intellectual property. A trademark also commonly known as a trademark, trade-mark or a mark. A trademark consists of a recognizable sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services of a particular company and helps in distinguishing the products from those of others.The symbols ® ‘the registered trademark symbol’ and ™ ‘the trademark symbol’ are generally used to indicate trademarks; the former is only for use by the owner of a trademark which is registered.

Register trademark in Vietnam

The trademark can be owned by:

-An individual,

-Business organization,

-Or any legal entity

When a trademark is registered, it confers an exclusive right to the owner to use the registered trademark. Thus it can be said that the trademark can be used by his owner exclusively, or it can be used by a person licensed for use in return of valid consideration.

Complete assignment

In this type of assignment, all the rights are completely transferred by the owner to the assignee.

The assignee has got all the rights including rights such right to further transfer and right to earn royalties.

Partial assignment

In this type, the assignment of the trademark is made to the assignee, but with respect to only some of the goods/ services, the transfer of ownership of the trademark is restricted to specific goods or services only. The rights are not transferred completely.

Assignment with goodwill

In this type of assignment, there is also a transfer of goodwill of the product with the trademark. In this, the valuation of goodwill is calculated differently in the agreement.

Assignment without goodwill

 In this type of assignment, goodwill of the product is not transferred along with the assignment of the trademark; in this, the owner of the brand restricts the rights of the assignee and does not allow him to use such trademark of the brand for the products being used by the assignor. Such an assignment is also referred to as a gross assignment.

When can a Trademark be assignerd?

A trademark can be assigned in the following situations

The Death of the Trademark Owner

Whenever the owner of the trademark i.e. the assignor dies, its ownership is passed on to the successors of the previous owners in a will or intestate. The condition is that the Trademark must be valid and should not have been abandoned by the previous owner.

Sale of Business

 Intellectual properties are assets for the company, just like all properties, even the trademark can be sold with the company. Provided it is registered under the company’s name. If a party acquires trademark rights of a company by acquiring a business with regard to the sale of assets of the company, the intellectual properties are also said to be transferred.

Change of the owner of businesses

When two companies decide on having a merger or an amalgamation of the company, a notification is sent to the registry. All the intellectual property of the acquired company are transferred to the new owner through the trademark assignment agreement between the parties.

Change in Form of Business

Whenever a business plan on changing its form of business or its business structure an assignment is a boon for those businesses.

If you are looking for an experienced trademark attorneys in Vietnam to help you with your trademark application, you should visit ANT Lawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the trademark process and will work closely with you as you apply for your trademark.

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What happens if I have a trademark without registering?

Trademark registration provides protection and exclusive rights to the owner of a Trademark in relation to his goods and services used commercially.

Trademark registration services in Vietnam 

A Trademark differentiates the identity and brand name of a business and separates the goods and services of a business from that of other similar goods or services in the market.

If your Trademark is not registered, it can be easily infringed upon by someone. In such case, you cannot file an infringement suit, but only claim remedy for passing-off. Passing off in trademark is when infringement of an unregistered trademark happens. The mark is not only deceptively similar to the trademark of other company but also creating confusion for the customers, which ultimately results in damage to the business of company.

Legal Remedy In Case Of Passing Off

The trademark owner can file a suit in district court/ High Court within the local limits of the jurisdiction, where the person instituting actually and voluntarily resides or carries on business or personally works for gain.

Where the passing off does not involve the use of trademark or where there is no sale of goods, the suit may be filed in a subordinate judge’s court or a court of superior to it. The plaintiff in a suit for passing off must be the owner of an unregistered trademark which has acquired reputation in relation to some goods or the owner of the goodwill in a trade name, or get-up relating to some goods or business or profession.

The defendant in the suit must be a person who has passed off or whose activities are likely to pass off his goods or business as the goods or business of the plaintiffs. Passing off actions may be instituted by many plaintiffs in a representative capacity provided there is a common interest, common grievance and a remedy beneficial to all. The rules governing the preparation of the plaint and the subsequent proceedings are the same as in any other suit and are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.

If you are looking for an experienced Trademark attorneys in Vietnam to help you with your trademark application, you should visit ANT Lawyers.vn. Our attorneys have experience with the trademark process and will work closely with you as you apply for your trademark. We routinely match inventors with experienced Trademark attorneys for a free consultation on our platform and offer a money back guarantee.

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How Vietnamese Companies Could Register Trademark in USA?

In order to expand business to the world market, the company should prepare the legal foundations before entering the foreign market or launching any products or services in another country. Many Vietnam companies aims to enter US market but there are opportunities and challenges.  One of our many issues are legal risks in intellectual properties protection law of the US. It is suggested the Vietnamese companies to consult with IP lawyers in Vietnam and US to register trademark and clear off such legal issues before launching products in the US.

Trademark in Vietnam 

When submitting for trademark registration in USA, individuals or enterprises need to comprehend its procedures to make the most reasonable choice.

Authority

The Vietnamese individuals and enterprises may directly file the dossiers for registration of US trademark to United States patent and trademark office (USPTO) or via Madrid System with US designation. However, if Vietnamese individuals and enterprises are not resident or do not have office in US choose to directly file the dossiers to USPTO, they must submit dossiers via a licensed US IP agent.

The required dossiers include:

-Trademark sample;

-Applicant’s information;

-Registration of goods/services;

-Filing basis.

Besides, based on each below filing basis, different dossiers would be required.

According to US Law, to the direct registration, applicant needs to file on following four basis:

1.Registration on the basis of Section 1(a). Accordingly, applicant will file the registration for the mark that already used in commerce in USA

On this basis, the applicant or their representative files used trademark application to USPTO. After 3 months from the filing date, the examiners will examine the dossiers to consider if it satisfies the protected criteria.

-If the examining attorney does not find grounds for refusing to register the trademark, and the application satisfies all legal requirements, the trademark will be approved for publication in the USPTO’s Trademark Official Gazette (TMOG) within one month for opposition. If there is no opposition or it is already resolved in regulated duration, then USPTO registers the trademark. Before the end of the first six-year period after the registration date, or within six months of the expiration of the sixth year with an additional fee, the applicant must file a Declaration of Use or Excusable Nonuse to keep the trademark alive. Besides, within one year before the end of every 10-year period after the registration date, or within six months of the end of the 10-year period, the applicant must file a Combined Declaration of Use or Excusable Nonuse/Application for Renewal.

-If the examining attorney finds grounds for refusing to register the trademark, or if the application does not satisfy all legal requirements, the examining attorney issues a letter (office action) explaining those refusals and/or requirements. The applicant must respond to the office action within six months of the date it was issued. (i) If the applicant does not respond within regulated period, the USPTO will sent to the applicant a Notice of Abandon (ii) If applicant responds in regulated time and USPTO considers it is reasonable, USPTO then approves the application and publishes it on TMOG for opposition. If there is no opposition or it is already resolved in regulated duration, then USPTO registers the trademark. If applicant responds in regulated time and USPTO considers it is unreasonable, then examining attorney will issue a final action letter. If the applicant responds in regulated time and examining attorney considers it is reasonable then USPTO registers the trademark. Via versa, if the applicant do not respond in time, the application will be abandoned.

2.Registration on the basis of Section 1(b). Accordingly, for application based on intent to use the trademark in commerce

Basically, the procedure in this case are almost the same as filing basis 1(a). However, after USPTO approves the application and publishes on TMOG, USPTO then will issue a Notice of Allowance (NOA) instead of registering the trademark. A NOA is not a registration, but means that the trademark made it through the 30-day opposition period and will be allowed to register after the applicant timely files an acceptable Statement of Use (SOU). The deadline to file an SOU or request for extension of time to file an SOU (extension request) is calculated from the date the NOA issued. If applicant does not file an SOU or extension request within six months of the NOA date, the application will abandon.

3.Registration on the basis of Section 44(d). Accordingly, for application based on a foreign application within 6 months from the date of filing in other countries

After the application is submitted, if the examining attorney does not find grounds for refusing to register the trademark, and the application satisfies all legal requirements, he or she issues a suspension letter stating that no further action will be taken on the application until we receive the foreign registration certificate, as required for a herein Section 44(e) registration basis.

If the examining attorney finds grounds for refusing to register the trademark, or if the application does not satisfy all legal requirements, the examining attorney issues a letter (office action) explaining those refusals and/or requirements.

-In case there is no response from applicant, the application will be abandoned.

-In case the applicant has reasonable response and be accepted, USPTO will issue suspension letter. If USPTO has not received the required foreign registration certificate for the Section 44(e) basis, the examining attorney will issue a letter inquiring about the status of the foreign application (whether it has registered yet). A suspension inquiry letter will be issued every six months until the applicant submit the foreign registration certificate. (i) If the applicant do not respond to the inquiry from USPTO, the application will abandon (ii) If the applicant responds in accordance with providing foreign trademark certificate, there will be the following situations:

a.In case USPTO accepts the foreign trademark certificate and the examining attorney does not find grounds for refusing to register the trademark, and the application satisfies all legal requirements, USPTO then approves the trademark and publishes it on TMOG for opposition. If there is no opposition or it is already resolved in regulated duration, then USPTO registers the trademark;

b.In case USPTO accepts the foreign trademark certificate, however, the examining attorney finds grounds for refusing to register the trademark, USPTO will issue the action letter. (i) If the applicant does not respond within 6 months, the application will be abandoned (ii) If the applicant responds within 6 months, the response will be considered: In case USPTO considers the response is reasonable, the application will be approved and published for opposition, if there is no opposition or the opinion has already been resolved, the trademark with be granted certificate; in case USPTO considers the response is unreasonable, the applicant may continue to respond to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

-In case USPTO does not accept the foreign trademark certificate, USPTO will issue notification and clearly state the reason. The applicant has 6 months to respond to the notification, otherwise, the applicant will be abandoned.

4.Registration on the basis of Section 44(e). Accordingly, for application based on a foreign trademark certificate, there are two cases as following:

-The application satisfies the requirements and USPTO publishes on TMOG for opposition;

-The application does not satisfy the requirements and USPTO issues the notification and clearly states the reason.

The procedures and duration for applicant and third parties have opinions are the same as above cases. After the trademark certificate is granted, the applicant needs to submit SOU and pay the fee to maintain.

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