IPR enforcement helps business   Officials of Điện Biên Province’s Market Watch check products on the shelves of a store in the province. Improving enforcement of intellectual property rights would help combat counterfeiting. – VNA/VNS Photo Xuân Tư HÀ NỘI - Improving enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) would assist the process of technology transfers, develop new products and motivate the creativity of the business community, speakers said during a conference in Hà Nội. “Việt Nam has recognised the importance of IPR and the fight against counterfeit goods. It is being handled through the establishment of the National Steering Committee on Combating Smuggling and Trade Fraudulence in 2012, which is commonly known as National Steering Committee 389 and headed by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister,” said Đỗ Thắng Hải, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. Hải and other Vietnamese and foreign participants attended a round table yesterday on improving the effectiveness of co-operation among enforcement agencies in the fight against counterfeit products and IPR infringement. According to Hải, the situation surrounding counterfeit goods and IPR violations has become increasingly complicated with more sophisticated tactics being employed, along with foreign involvement. He noted that in order to improve the enforcement of fighting counterfeits and IPR violations, all relevant agencies and enterprises need to co-ordinate more effectively and share information about tactics, so they might seriously carry out the Prime Minister’s Decision 19/2016/QĐ-TTg signed May 6, 2016 on the responsibility and co-operation of activities among government agencies in the fight against smuggling and trade fraud. “Moreover, the fight against counterfeits and IPR violations can’t be successful without the effective co-operation from trading and producing enterprises and the involvement of the entire society,” Hải said. Also speaking at the conference, Lord David Terrence Puttnam, UK Prime Minister’s Trade and Cultural Envoy to Việt Nam, said the enforcement of IPR is necessary to maintain the trust of enterprises in protecting their investments. He also highlighted the importance of IPR in Vietnamese businesses being successful, as Việt Nam increasingly integrates into the global value chain. According to Lord Puttnam, the improvement of IPR would boost the process of technology transfers and help develop new products for enterprises. Statistics from the ministry’s Market Surveillance Department showed that relevant agencies have inspected and identified more than 29,400 cases of intellectual property infringement, as well as fake production and sales from 2012 through early October 2016. Among them, about 2,300 cases involved the products’ use and quality; over 1,530 cases focused on geographic indications; 316 cases on IPR violations and more than 23,000 cases on packaging and merchandise stickers. “The enforcement of IPR during the recent time has proven more effective, however, it didn’t achieve the desired results,” said Trịnh Văn Ngọc, head of the department. Ngọc pointed out that inadequate punishment and manpower, lack of co-ordination among agencies and insufficient awareness, were included in the major challenges in dealing with violations of IPR. Representatives of enforcement agencies suggested the building of a database network to share information and reports. The one-day conference was held by the Market Surveillance Department and supported by the British Embassy. Viet Nam News