Government agencies, consumers, manufacturers and the entire communityshould work together to fight phony or counterfeit products, delegatestold a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on November 27.
Infringement of intellectual protection rights is occurring morefrequently, affecting licensed companies and consumers, said Do HuuQuang, deputy head of the Market Management Department under theMinistry of Industry and Trade.
Vietnamese consumersare presented with an abundance of goods, but it is difficult for themto distinguish between genuine and fake products, he said.
"Fake goods are everywhere and in many sectors, from fashionaccessories to agricultural materials and cosmetics, with direct impacton consumers' health, environment, social security and producers," hesaid, adding that fake goods are made both domestically and abroad andthen smuggled into the country.
Delegates at theseminar said enterprises had become more aware of IP rights protectionand tried to protect it, but many others had not paid much attention toit.
"Many enterprises, when they discover that theirdesigns and trademarks have been copied, do not have the courage todenounce these actions to authorised agencies," Quang said.
Even though more inspections have occurred, as well as increasedfines, a lack of resources and personnel have caused the battle againstfakes difficult to implement.
In addition, sanctions imposed on these violations have not deterred the practice, he said.
Luong Hoang Hung, deputy general director of the Vietnam IntellectualProperty Association, said businesses have a role to play by improvingtheir public communications and helping people identify fake andsubstandard goods.
Many delegates at the meetingagreed that authorities should publicise the names of violators in themass media, adding that consumers must protect themselves by purchasinggoods at prestigious shops and websites.
NguyenThanh Tai, director of NewTech Company, said enterprises need strategiesto protect their trademarks from counterfeit goods and shouldco-operate with government agencies in enforcement procedures.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, head of the National Office of IntellectualProperty of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, said all enterprises, bothlarge and small, should focus more on IP protection.
But Binh noted that, with current technology, a new product can bequickly analysed and copied. However, this makes owning IP rights evenmore important.
Companies employing IP protectioneffectively have been able to create prestigious trademarks. This hasalso helped them improve competitiveness in both local and internationalmarkets, and increase revenue, he said.
The conference was organised to mark the Day for Fighting Fake Goods on November 29.-VNA
Infringement of intellectual protection rights is occurring morefrequently, affecting licensed companies and consumers, said Do HuuQuang, deputy head of the Market Management Department under theMinistry of Industry and Trade.
Vietnamese consumersare presented with an abundance of goods, but it is difficult for themto distinguish between genuine and fake products, he said.
"Fake goods are everywhere and in many sectors, from fashionaccessories to agricultural materials and cosmetics, with direct impacton consumers' health, environment, social security and producers," hesaid, adding that fake goods are made both domestically and abroad andthen smuggled into the country.
Delegates at theseminar said enterprises had become more aware of IP rights protectionand tried to protect it, but many others had not paid much attention toit.
"Many enterprises, when they discover that theirdesigns and trademarks have been copied, do not have the courage todenounce these actions to authorised agencies," Quang said.
Even though more inspections have occurred, as well as increasedfines, a lack of resources and personnel have caused the battle againstfakes difficult to implement.
In addition, sanctions imposed on these violations have not deterred the practice, he said.
Luong Hoang Hung, deputy general director of the Vietnam IntellectualProperty Association, said businesses have a role to play by improvingtheir public communications and helping people identify fake andsubstandard goods.
Many delegates at the meetingagreed that authorities should publicise the names of violators in themass media, adding that consumers must protect themselves by purchasinggoods at prestigious shops and websites.
NguyenThanh Tai, director of NewTech Company, said enterprises need strategiesto protect their trademarks from counterfeit goods and shouldco-operate with government agencies in enforcement procedures.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, head of the National Office of IntellectualProperty of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, said all enterprises, bothlarge and small, should focus more on IP protection.
But Binh noted that, with current technology, a new product can bequickly analysed and copied. However, this makes owning IP rights evenmore important.
Companies employing IP protectioneffectively have been able to create prestigious trademarks. This hasalso helped them improve competitiveness in both local and internationalmarkets, and increase revenue, he said.
The conference was organised to mark the Day for Fighting Fake Goods on November 29.-VNA
