Gov't strengthens crackdown on infringements of intellectual property rights

The Prime Minister on Wednesday issued an official telegram addressed to the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court; the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy; ministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies; Secretaries of Provincial and Municipal Party Committees; Chairpersons of Provincial and Municipal People's Committees; and the Chief of the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee Against Smuggling, Trade Fraud, and Counterfeit Goods.

The official telegram states that over the past years, the fight against intellectual property rights (IPR) infringements has seen many positive developments. Specifically, functional agencies have deployed synchronous and effective solutions, detecting and handling numerous IPR infringement cases, thereby contributing to the mitigation of such violations.

However, IPR infringements remain complex in certain sectors and localities, significantly impacting the investment and business environment, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, enterprises, and relevant organizations...

Dismantling illegal websites under spirit of no forbidden zones

In a bid to create a major breakthrough and improve the practical effectiveness of the fight against IPR infringements, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and localities to direct functional forces to immediately deploy necessary measures to combat, prevent, and handle IPR infringements nationwide; strictly penalize violations under the spirit of "no forbidden zones" and "no exceptions."

The Ministry of Public Security shall coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to focus on verifying, investigating, and prosecuting serious cases of infringement upon copyrights, related rights, trademarks, and geographical indications as prescribed by law.

The ministry must dismantle websites and organizations operating high-traffic online copyright-infringing websites, particularly those illegally storing and providing movies, music, mobile games, and television programs in Vietnamese and foreign languages, especially English.

The Prime Minister requested the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Supreme People's Court to step up the prosecution and trial of intellectual property cases, ensuring strict and deterrent handling in accordance with the law.

Reducing copyright infringements regarding movies, music, and video games by 30%

The Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to immediately organize inspections regarding compliance with computer software copyright regulations at enterprises, copyrights for movies, music, television programs, and video games.

The ministry must focus on immediately handling or transfering serious infringement cases to competent authorities for handling in accordance with legal regulations; ensure the number of handled cases to increase by at least 20 percent compared to May 2025.

The ministry needs to direct media and press agencies to enhance communication so that citizens, businesses, and the community can identify, combat, and prevent IPR infringements, thereby improving the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement in the intellectual property domain.

The Government leader tasked the Ministry of Industry and Trade, provincial and municipal People's Committees to strengthen inspection, control, supervision, and strict handling of IPR infringements, especially industrial property and trademark violations, ensuring that the number of handled cases to increase by at least 20 percent compared to May 2025.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was requested to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant ministries and agencies to promptly provide full information and specific results regarding Viet Nam's efforts in enforcing legal regulations on IPR to international partners.

Daily reporting regime required

The Government leader requested relevant ministries, agencies and localities to strictly implement a daily reporting regime on the status and results of detecting, arresting, and handling serious and complex cases.

These reports must be sent to the Ministry of Science and Technology for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister on a weekly basis or upon request.

The Ministry of Science and Technology shall have to timly provide opinions and assessment conclusions throughout the process of handling IPR infringements. Relevant ministries and agencies shall be required to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Science and Technology in this matter.

Localities must set up inter-disciplinary working groups

After May 30, 2026, ministries, agencies, and localities shall review and evaluate the implementation progress; continue to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the fight against IPR infringements.

Secretaries of Provincial and Municipal Party Committees are requested to focus on leading and directing party committees and authorities at all levels, and mobilizing the entire local political system to actively and proactively participate in the fight against IPR infringements, ensuring clear improvements and concrete results.

The Prime Mnister also requested Chairpersons of the Provincial and Municipal People's Committees to promptly set up inter-disciplinary working groups to oversee the fight against IPR infringement./.