Ramping Up the Battle: Vietnam's Crusade Against Counterfeits and Digital Piracy intensifies
Vietnam intensifies crackdown on counterfeit goods and digital copyright infringements
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With ongoing trade discussions with the US, Vietnam is taking a firm stance against the illegal activities of counterfeits and digital piracy. Border controls for luxury goods from powerhouses like Prada and Kering-owned Gucci, along with electronic devices from Google and Samsung, and toys from Mattel and Lego, are set to tighten [1][2][3]. Even everyday consumer goods, such as shampoos and razors from Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, are under the scrutiny [1][2].
The United States has accused Vietnam of being a hub for these illicit activities and warned of high tariffs. In a recent crackdown, imported counterfeit goods have become the focal point, separate from locally produced counterfeits, which have also garnered attention from the Trump administration [2].
In a letter sent to a local company on April 14, Vietnamese inspectors from the Ministry of Culture have launched an offensive against the use of pirated software. This action followed a complaint from the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a group consisting of tech giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Adobe [3]. Sources claim that similar warnings have been delivered to multiple companies since early April [3].
Vietnam's rise as an export-centric industrial hub and an alternate to China is at stake, given Trump's announcement of possible 46% tariffs on exports to the US - Vietnam's largest market. For the moment, a tariff hiatus is in effect until July [4]. Central to the US' trade agenda is improving intellectual property protection, including efforts to eradicate counterfeits and digital piracy [4].
Despite these increased measures, last week counterfeit luxury goods were still being peddled at a popular shopping center in Ho Chi Minh City - a destination listed as a 'notorious market for counterfeits' by the US Trade Representative in January [5]. A vendor at one of the stalls confidently claimed, "They are not authentic and are made in China," referring to the Prada wallets and bags she was showcasing [5].
Source: ntv.de, RTS
In the quest to combat counterfeits, Vietnam is implementing key strategies as part of the intensified border inspections:
- Enhanced Border Inspections: Vietnam's customs service has ramped up inspections of imported luxury goods, including items from brands like Prada and Gucci, as well as electronics from Google and Samsung, and toys from Mattel and Lego, and consumer goods like shampoos and razors from Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson[1][2][3].
- Enhanced Oversight: The customs service is tightening its watch on these imported goods to guarantee their authenticity [3][5].
- Legal and Regulatory Updates: Vietnam is considering the creation of specialized intellectual property courts as part of a proposed bill slated for approval by the Vietnamese National Assembly in June. These courts will focus on ensuring compliance with international obligations to uphold intellectual property rights (IPR)[3].
- Legal Actions Towards Domestic Companies: Vietnamese authorities have served official warnings to numerous domestic companies for using unlicensed or pirated software [3].
These initiatives are part of Vietnam's broader strategy to tackle counterfeiting and digital piracy, aiming to ease trade tensions with the United States and avert potential tariffs [2][3][4].
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft regulation concerning enhanced border inspections and legal actions against domestic companies using unlicensed or pirated software, as technology plays a crucial role in detecting counterfeit goods.
The proposed bill slated for approval by the Vietnamese National Assembly in June includes the creation of specialized intellectual property courts to ensure compliance with international obligations and uphold intellectual property rights (IPR), further emphasizing the importance of technology in combating counterfeits and digital piracy.
