Minister of Science and Technology (second one from the left) discussing with provincial leaders about intellectual property activities

Thua Thien Hue has 2,041 applications for trademark registration

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Huynh Thanh Dat believed that state management of Intellectual Property (IP) was one of the important activities, playing a leading role in the process of realizing socio-economic development goals. 

According to Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong, over the past time, Thua Thien Hue has focused on promoting the development of IP in association with the development of the science and technology market; supporting and improving the technology absorption capacity of enterprises in the area. 

Up to now, the province has 2,041 applications for trademark registration, and has been granted 1,196 trademark registration certificates, in which 82 exclusive protection titles were granted out of 107 industrial design registration applications; and 18 exclusive patent rights were granted out of 80 applications for patents and utility solutions.

Currently, the province has 2 geographical indications (GI), namely Hue cajeput essential oil and Hueconical hat, out of 128 GI protected in Vietnam, including 13 foreign GI and 115 GI of Vietnam. 

There are 5 certified brands, namely Hue beef noodle soup, Hue handicrafts, traditional craft festival, Nam Dong agricultural products, Ancient Capital Award for Science and Technology, and 49 collective trade marks for Hue pickled shrimp products, Van Cu noodle, Quang Dien red rice, An Duong fish sauce craft village, A Luoi traditional garments (Dzeng), Nam Dong oranges, Phu Ho rice, Dien Huong fresh chives, etc., and are in the process of registering 2 geographical indications, and many certification and other collective marks.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat (middle) and provincial leaders exploring Hue products registering intellectual property rights

Implementing the program to develop the province's IP for the period of 2021-2025, the province has so far supported more than 100 businesses in the area through activities to protect trademarks of products, utility solutions, inventions, standards and measurement of quality, as well as traceability of products and goods; while at the same time, calling for the attention and support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, central ministries and branches in the registration of industrial property rights protection for key exports. 

Innovatively and creatively increasing management efficiency

Representative of NOIP affirmed that IP was the driving force to promote economic growth, attract technology transfer and foreign investment; nurture and develop innovative capacity. In Vietnam, the number of industrial property applications annually increases by an average of 8-10%. 

Chairman Nguyen Van Phuong (left) introducing some products participating in the provincial innovation

However, Vietnamese subjects mainly register protection of industrial designs and trademarks while the number of inventions is only 1/8 of that of foreign subjects. This shows that even though production and business activities in Vietnam are quite vibrant, there are not many products containing high intellectual content, and applied research activities and investment resources for applied researchfor technology and innovation are still limited.

The number of IP subjects which own and can transfer the rights to use IP take up a modest proportioncompared to the applications and granted protection titles. This proves that the management and exploitation of IP in general and inventions in particular are not really effective. 

Many localities concerning themselves with IP registration to increase the competitiveness of their products in the market

In order to perform state management of IP, innovate and improve the efficiency of IP development, the conference also set out the requirements for IP for localities in 2023 and the following years. 

In addition to continuing to review and enforce laws and policies on the exploitation of intellectual property, it is necessary to make the most of resources, institutions and policies, to turn knowledge into material wealth for the development of the country with enterprises being the center.

The conference also focused on discussing solutions to promote the application of information technology in IP; continuing to actively participate in negotiations for the serious implementation of international treaties. 

Story and photos: HOAI THUONG

• Hai Ba Trung Street will be a busy pedestrian street at night (18/03)
• Bringing Hue's products on Tiktok (04/03)
• Welcoming new job opportunities from the labor market (03/03)
• Sharing, connecting businesses with TikTok Creators in love with Hue specialties (26/02)
• Launching the contest of plastic waste reduction (24/02)
• Hue lotus "shedding perfume" (20/02)
• "Destined" for green agriculture (16/02)