At the workshop (Source: dantri.com.vn)Hanoi(VNA) –Intellectual property (IP) rights and science-technology should be apriority of businesses amidst the fourth industrial revolution, as they are keyfactors for success, heard a workshop in Hanoi on April 18.
Improving awarenessof IP rights will help businesses protect their tangible and intangible assets,improve their competitiveness and integrate into the global economy, delegatesat the workshop said.
The delegates notedthe current limited awareness of businesses about IP rights and the rights ofauthors.
Tran Van Minh,deputy chief inspector of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said hisministry has worked with central and grassroots agencies to conduct inspectionsof violations of the rights of authors and other relevant rights annually.
The investigationsrevealed that in 2017, 54 businesses copied software programmes withoutpermission, with 1.65 billion VND (72,600 USD) in administrative fines doledout.
Since the beginning ofthis year, software inspections were conducted at 24 businesses, with 750million VND (33,000 USD) worth of fines imposed, said the official.
A 2016 survey of theBusiness Software Alliance found that in Vietnam, 78 percent of softwareinstalled on computers was not properly licensed.
The spread ofviolations has harmed the rights and interests of owners and affected creativeactivities, national socio-economic-cultural development and the country’sinternational economic integration.
Given this, Minhstressed it is time for corporate leaders to review the use of software intheir businesses and take action to avoid great losses of prestige and finance.
Hoang Quang Phong,Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Vietnam hascompleted legal frameworks and created a full legal corridor to help businessesand people exercise their rights and obligations.
He cited theissuance of the Law on Intellectual Property in 2005 and the law amending andsupplementing the Law on Intellectual Property in 2009 to clarify his views.
IP rights have alsobeen prescribed in the Criminal Code and Civil Code, he added.
Le Ngoc Lam, deputyhead of the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, said protectingIP rights, including via criminal prosecution, is an important part ofnew-generation free trade agreements and a concern of development partners.
He suggested statemanagement agencies and businesses seek ways to protect and implement IPrights.-VNA
VNA
