International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF) and the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance (DMS) exchange views on strengthening anti-counterfeiting measures

Vietnam/Japan

On October 24, the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF), which serves as the secretariat by JETRO, held a discussion meeting with Director General Tran Huu Linh of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance (DMS) and others on Vietnam’s countermeasures against counterfeit goods. The discussions are part of a project to strengthen counterfeit goods countermeasures commissioned by the Japan Patent Office. This was Mr. Linh’s first visit to Japan since taking office in 2018.

From the Japanese side, IIPPF Chair Toshihiko Kobayashi, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Intellectual Property Division at Seiko Epson, and ten other companies and organizations, including brand owners, participated. The group asked questions and requested cooperation from DMS regarding how to cooperate with EC platformers and whether information such as the location and names of counterfeit product manufacturers should be disclosed. The Japan Bearing Industry Association (JBIA) also introduced the latest technology that can easily determine the authenticity of bearings using a smartphone app.

Director General Linh stated, “It is especially regrettable that counterfeit goods are rising in online transactions. We want to reduce the distribution of counterfeit goods by closely sharing information between DMS and Japanese companies and organizations. In Vietnam, Japanese companies’ products—from automobiles to food—are widely used, so we would like to respond swiftly to counterfeiting of Japanese products.” He also stated, “Companies that provide products also need to widely publicize where and how to obtain genuine products,” emphasizing that awareness-raising activities by companies and crackdowns by Vietnamese authorities will lead to more effective measures against counterfeit goods.

IIPPF and DMS have been building a relationship on an ongoing basis, including at a seminar in February 2024. With this visit by DMS to Japan, as well as a meeting between DMS and the Patent Office, more concrete discussions on future cooperation are expected to progress, and the crackdown on counterfeit Japanese products in Vietnam will be strengthened.

About DMS

DMS is one of the primary enforcement agencies in Vietnam involved in cracking down on counterfeit goods. It is responsible for counterfeit, illegal, and fraudulent goods widely distributed in the market and the crackdown on their distribution.

About IIPPF

IIPPF was established in April 2002 by companies and organizations interested in resolving overseas intellectual property rights infringement issues, such as counterfeiting and pirated goods. As of March 2024, approximately 250 organizations and companies are participating. Each regional and field-specific project that comprises IIPPF holds meetings to exchange ideas with overseas government agencies and experts.