Law Firm in Vietnam

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam with offices in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. We are an exclusive Vietnam law firm member of Prae Legal, a global law firm network spanning 5 continents and 150 countries through which we have built up relationship with lawyers from all parts of the world. This cooperation allow ANT Lawyers to handle cases involving matters of international nature involving foreigners.

Law Firm in Vietnam

ANT Lawyers, as a reliable English speaking law firm in Vietnam, we focus on providing possible solutions that best meet the needs of legal and business clients. We help customers achieve their goals while protecting their interests, minimizing risks, and complying with the law.

The law firm works with corporate and individual clients from across the sectors and offers a true spectrum of legal expertise, both contentious and non-contentious. Highly professional staff and great experience enables us to advise on various matters from the precedent-setting to the purely procedural.

The common thread in everything our law firm does is our ability to combine both commercial and legal perspectives. This means our clients can rest assured that, whatever the case or transaction, our lawyers at the law firm in Vietnam have the experience to deliver legal advice and service that works in a commercial context.

Our lawyers offer client with particular services that guide clients throughout investment, commercial transaction, M&A, civil transaction, property sales and purchase, IP registration, and dispute resolution procedures.

We help clients to overcome cultural barriers and achievie their strategic and financial results, anh in the meantime ensure best interest protection, risk minimization, and regulatory compliance.

Looking for a reliable local English speaking law firm in Vietnam for your business?

Tell us how we can be of service and one of our team members will contact you. Email: ant@antlawyers.vn, Tel: +84 28 730 86 529

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/

 

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What are Tools Allow a Business to Protect Intellectual Property?

 

The Tools Allow a Business to Protect Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is something you have created. It is not just an idea. It must have a content. It can be material such as a design or immaterial such as a software.

Intellectual Property Rights in Vietnam

To protect intellectual property in a business, different tools can be used depending on your type of creation. There are two mainly different types of protections: automatic protection and protection you have to apply for.

1.Two types of automatic protections : Copyright and Design right

For these both protections you don’t to do any application or pay any fee. Copyright and Design right prevent people from using your work without your permission.

Copyright:

Copyright protection encompasses art, photography, web content, films, music… 

To inform that your idea is protected you can mark your work with the following :

The copyright symbol : ©

Your name

The year of creation

If your country has signed international agreements, your work can be protected overseas. Usually the protection lasts around 25 years for photographs and 50 years for the other types of work.

Design right:

Design right protects the shape and configuration of your object. To benefit from this right you will have to prove the date of creation. This protection lasts 10 years once it is sold and 15 years from its creation.

 2. Application for protection : Trade marks, patents, registered designs

With the following protections you have the right to take a legal action against someone who uses your creation or invention without your permission.

Trade marks:

Logos, jingles and product names can be protected by Trademarks. The protection lasts 10 years. However it is renewable.

Patents:

A patent is an effective protection for your invention. However the process is time-consuming and very expensive. For instance your invention can be an artistic work, a playing game or a diagnosis. To benefit from this protection, your invention has to be new.

Registered designs:

By registering your design you protect its appearance, decoration or shape. The protection lasts up to 25 years (you have to renew it every 5 years).

At last, to protect your intellectual property you can also sign an non-disclosure agreement. In the contract you share confidential information that can include intellectual property. The second party is not allowed to disclose this information.

Source: Quora

ANT Lawyers, a law firm with a team of experienced lawyers, IP consultants and IP services in Vietnam in the field of Intellectual Property will help customers implement procedures for registering intellectual property rights in Vietnam the most effective way.

 

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How to Invest, Do Business and Reside in Vietnam in 2022?

With economic opening policies, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreign investors. Accordingly, the number of foreign investors in Vietnam is constantly increasing. In order to create favorable conditions for individual investors with direct capital investment or representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam to live, work, Vietnam has policies, suitable for each type of investor in being granted temporary residence cards in Vietnam.

How to Invest, Do Business and Reside in Vietnam

Investors using visas, temporary residence cards under the investment category sponsored  by foreign investment companies and with the temporary residence card symbol DT, are divided into three types of temporary residence cards as follows: (i) DT1 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a contributed capital of VND 100 billion (USD 4.5 mil) or more or investing in industries, professions eligible for investment incentives, geographical areas with investment incentives decided by the Government; (ii) DT2 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a contributed capital of between VND 50 billion (USD 2.3 mil) and under VND 100 billion or investing in industries, trades to encourage development investment decided by the Government; (iii) DT3 – Issued to foreign investors in Vietnam and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with capital contribution from VND 03 billion (USD 136k) to less than VND 50 billion. Temporary residence cards with a specific term for investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam are as follows: Temporary residence cards with symbol DT1 have a term of not more than 10 years; Temporary residence card with symbol DT2 is valid for no more than 05 years; Temporary residence card with symbol DT3 is valid for no more than 03 years. In case foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam with a contributed capital of less than VND 03 billion, they will not be granted a temporary residence card, instead they will apply for a signed visa DT4 which is valid for no more than 12 months.

The application file for applying for a temporary residence card to a foreign investor must be documents proving the status of the sponsoring agency, organization, individual; documents proving the relationship between the investor and the sponsoring agency, organization or individual; information of the sponsored investor; relevant document information to determine the type of temporary residence card issued to investors; and declarations in accordance with the law.

If foreign investors and representatives of foreign organizations investing in Vietnam wishing to stay in Vietnam, they need to apply for a temporary residence card according to the conditions, documents, procedures of Vietnamese law. It is important to consult with law firm in Vietnam for effective solutions.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/how-to-invest-do-business-and-reside-in-vietnam-in-2022.html

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Anti-dumping Measures to H-shaped Steel Products from China

Extension of the Period for Final Review of the Application of Anti-dumping Measures to H-shaped Steel Products from China

On July 12, 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 1377/QD-BCT for extension of the period for final review of the application of anti-dumping measures to some H-shaped steel products originating from the People’s Republic of China (case ER01, AD03).

Extension of the period for final review of the application of anti-dumping measures to H-shaped steel products from China

According to the current Law on Foreign Trade Management, the time limit for the final review of the application of anti-dumping measures shall not exceed 9 months from the date of issuance of the review decision under Decision No. 2301/QD-BCT for final review of the application of anti-dumping measures to some H-shaped steel products originating from the People’s Republic of China (case ER01, AD03) issued on October 13, 2021.

The decision to extend the period for final review of the application of anti-dumping measures to some H-shaped steel products originating from the People’s Republic of China (case ER01.AD03) is based on the fact of the case; to have more time to consider, ensure the investigation is conducted comprehensively and objectively. Accordingly, the deadline for the final review of the case has been extended to September 5, 2022.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice or potential dispute regarding trade remedies measures including, anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard measures or international trade dispute matters, our international trade lawyers, countervailing duty lawyers in Vietnam and antitrust lawyers in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers could be of help.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/extension-of-the-period-for-final-review-of-the-application-of-anti-dumping-measures-to-h-shaped-steel-products-from-china.html

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How Non-voting Depositary Receipt Work in Vietnam?

How Non-voting Depositary Receipt Work?

Decree No. 60/2015/ND-CP (Decree 60) amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 58/2012/ND-CP issued by the Government on May 26th, 2015 has lifted foreign ownership limit of the public enterprises (with conditions) and permitted enterprises operating in all sectors and areas without restriction on foreign ownership to self-set out limits of foreign ownership.

 Finance Dispute Law Firm in Vietnam

Although the Government has been facilitating foreign investor investing in the Vietnam stock market as well as Vietnam enterprises whom raise capital, the foreign investors still faced a number of challenges. The Decree 60 has taken effect since September 1st, 2015, but most public companies did not lift their foreign ownership limit over 51%. One of the reasons is that, the enterprises with 51% foreign ownership shall meet the statutory conditions and therefore have to follow the investment procedures applicable to foreign investors in accordance with the Law on Investment, Law on Securities and other guiding legislations. Having said that, Vietnam enterprises with over 51% foreign ownership shall be treated as foreign investor. These requirements shall significantly impact on business plans and procedures that an enterprise must comply and restrict them from doing business in some sectors. Accordingly, the daily purchase and sale of shares by foreign investors around the threshold of 51% of the charter capital makes it difficult to determine the legal status of an enterprise.

In order to facilitate the attraction of foreign capital inflows, the Government has been reviewing acceptance of non-voting depositary receipt (NVDR). The promulgation of the Enterprise Law 2020 effective from January 1st, 2021, initially recognized NVDR. Ordinary shares used as underlying assets to issue NVDR are called as underlying ordinary shares. Non-voting depository receipts have interest and obligations proportional to the underlying ordinary shares, excepting for voting rights. NVDR is a negotiable financial instrument issued by a third party which is a subsidiary of the Stock Exchange (Issuing Organization). The Issuing Organization will then hand over to investors all financial benefits attached stocks such as dividends, rights offering. This is a solution from other country that helps foreign investors to invest in public enterprises, even they such enterprises reached limit boundary of foreign ownership. NVDR can be converted into ordinary shares in case the public company has not yet reached foreign ownership limit.

ANT Lawyers - a Law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or service request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/how-non-voting-depositary-receipt-work.html

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Recognize Father or Mother for a Child

How to Recognize Father or Mother for a Child in Vietnam

It is a legal requirement in Vietnam to register the recognition of father, mother of a child regardless the child’s parents are married or not. Such recognition shall be made on the newly issued birth certificate of the child.

 

Recognize Father for Child in Vietnam

The recognition of the father, mother protects the legal rights of all involved parties. For the family involving foreign elements i.e foreigners, expatriates living in Vietnam, the procedure for recognition of father, mothers of a child have to follow the laws of Vietnam, through various steps at Vietnam Authority including People’s Committee, Provincial Department of Justice and at Consular of foreign country where the mother or father of the child comes from.

The dossiers of application for recognition of fathers, mothers or children shall include the following papers:

-The application for recognition of father, mother of the child;

-The copies of the ID (for Vietnamese citizens staying in the country), or passports or substitute papers (for foreigners and Vietnamese citizens in foreign countries);

-The copies of the birth certificates of the persons to be recognized as child;

-Papers, documents or evidences (if any) to prove that there is a blood relationship between the father or mother and the child;

-The copy of the household registration book or collective resident certificate (for Vietnamese citizens permanently residing in the country);

-The permanent residence card (for foreigners permanently residing in Vietnam) of the persons to be recognized as father or mother.

Documents issued in foreign language shall need to be translated into Vietnamese, notarized or legalized to conform with legal document requirements of Vietnam authorities.

The time for processing dossiers at various authorities depend on the submitted documents and the time taken by the authorities to validate the case and could range between two weeks to two months.

The Vietnam authorities will need to study and examine dossiers of application for recognition of father, mother of the child. In cases where there is any doubts, complaints or denunciation about the recognition of father, mother of the child, or whether it is deemed that the personal identification of the involved parties or papers in the dossiers of application need to be clarified, the Provincial Department of Justice shall carry out the verification, including interviews with the involved parties or request for the additional proof.

Once the application is processed, verified and confirmed, the revised birth certificate of the child will be issued to reflect the changes which will show the name of the father or mother added.

ANT Lawyers - Marriage and family dispute law firm in Vietnam with international standard, local expertise and strong international network. We focus on customers’ needs and provide clients with a high quality legal advice and services. For advice or services request, please contact us via email ant@antlawyers.vn, or call us +84 24 730 86 529.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/how-to-recognize-father-or-mother-for-a-child.html

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How Decision 942/QD-TTg on Crypto Currency Would Partly Solve Challenges for the E-Government of Vietnam?

 

With the strong development of information technology, forms of online transactions has also gradually become a trend and develop strongly in Vietnam. In recent years  crypto currency has created a new phenomenon for the global economy that some countries have been deploying to use such as El-Salvador. However, not all countries accept crypto currencies especially countries such as China, Russia, Thailand… are vehemently opposed to this type of crypto currency for fear of risks to the national economy. In Vietnam, there has been a number disputes involved crypto currency transactions through investment, purchase and sales, which lacked legal framework for resolving, creating challenges for lawyers, and dispute resolving authorities.

 

Fintech Lawyers in Vietnam

The State Bank of Vietnam also has a document prohibiting credit institutions from using crypto currency as a currency or means of payment. However, besides the potential risks, crypto currencies with the advantages of being extremely fast, convenient features which only need an Internet connection and wide application scope should be exploited. Recently, the Prime Minister issued Decision 942/QD-TTg dated June 15, 2021 approving the Strategy for E-Government Development towards Digital Government in the period of 2021 – 2025, with orientation to 2030 pilot using crypto currency. Specifically, the Prime Minister assigned the State Bank to assume the prime responsibility for researching, building and piloting the use of crypto currency based on “blockchain” technology. This is considered a bold step, but it is suitable for the context that illegal “underground” crypto currency exchanges are sprouting up and also opening up a lot of potential for the country’s economy.

In fact, in recent years, although the state has issued a document not to recognize crypto currencies, the opening and operation of illegal crypto currency trading platforms  are still common which many Vietnamese people participate. The demand for Vietnamese people to own crypto currency is quite high which crypto currency when approved by the Government will be positively received by Vietnamese people. On the other hand, recently crypto currency has appeared in the media with incidents relating to scams, illegal trading platforms which are not protected by law. But in another aspect, crypto currency transactions also help users perform many purposes such as Hence the Decision 942/QD-TTg issued timely, although still in the testing phase, would partly solve the needs of the economy as well as create strict management and control to protect people. In addition, with the pilot recognition of crypto currencies under the management of the state, it also opens up opportunities for Vietnam to promote the development of new technologies in the e-Government development strategy towards digital government.

Some positive aspects can be mentioned when crypto currency is allowed to be used such as creating convenience in transactions. Specifically, users do not have to go through any stage or intermediary and are not limited, regardless of time and location during the transaction.

Decision 942/QD-TTg also poses many challenges for the Government in management and control. With the “mobility” characteristic, the control of “virtual currency” is not simple, especially for the country which is not yet a highly developed in information technology. Therefore, in order to put “virtual currency” into use, it is necessary to ensure the development of the corresponding technology platform, and at the same time to build a strict legal framework to minimize risks for users. On the other hand, if the “virtual currency” is not well controlled, it will become a money laundering tool, transnational money transferred from illegal co-economic activities such as smuggling, opium, terrorist financing… Another important issue is that our country’s Internet system is still unstable. Therefore, in order to be able to circulate virtual money conveniently, it is necessary for Vietnam to further develop the Internet system to ensure stability in transactions.

The crypto currency in Decision 942/QD-TTg shows the Government’s aspiration for innovation and determination in moving closer to the goal of national financial inclusion and a digital economy. However, the implementation needs to have a roadmap and orientation as well as a strong legal foundation to ensure effective implementation. Our fintech lawyers in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers – law firm in Vietnam will always follow up with development of legal framework in crypto currency and blockchain technology in Vietnam to provide update to clients.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/how-decision-942-qd-ttg-on-crypto-currency-would-partly-solve-challenges-for-the-e-government-of-vietnam.html

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Trade and Customs in Vietnam

Navigating the modern environment of international business requires companies that engage in the exchange of goods and services across international borders to be ever vigilant in addressing customs and import controls laws, including those related to border and supply chain security. ANT Lawyers trade and customs practice works to ensure and optimize our clients’ cost- and time-efficient shipment of goods and services across borders, within the confines of the law.

Customs Lawyers in Vietnam

We represent clients who engage in such diverse fields as:

-Customs brokerage, express delivery, freight forwarding, logistics and sea and rail transportation

-Apparel, beverages, consumer electronics, cosmetics, food products, footwear, home furnishings, luxury goods and paper products.

Businesses often overlook the fundamental importance of accurate tariff classification and appraisement as sources of potential duty savings and necessary compliance for imported products. These are the “nuts and bolts” of any sophisticated customs and import controls practice, and our Customs lawyers in Vietnam are well versed in this complex body of law to maximize duty savings and minimize customs penalties.

ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with customs lawyers in Vietnam always follow up customs cases and its development to update clients on regular basis.

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/legal-service/trade-and-customs.html 

Source: ANT Lawyers.vn

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Opposition of Trademark Applications for Registration in Vietnam

Opposition of Applications for Registration of the Mark Protection in Vietnam

Vietnam Law on Intellectual Property allows any third party to have right to denounces the opposition of trademark applications for registration which have identical or confusingly similar signs.

As from the date an application for registration of mark is published in the Official Gazette of Industrial Property up until prior to the date of issuance of a decision on grant of a protection title, the third party shall express the opposition to the competent State administrative body including explanations, argument and evidence the opinion. Such opinions must be made in writing and be accompanied by documents or must quote the source of information.

 Trademark opposition in Vietnam

Opposition to trademark applications plays a great role for the protection of trademark owner that prevents counterfeiting, duplication, infringement and trademark registration in contravention of law.

Documents:

01 Power of attorney (as form)

Documents and evidences to prove the opposition bases.

(ANT Lawyers could consult client specifically and particularly about the evidences and documents).

Opposition procedures

After receiving a disapproval application for registration of mark, National Office Intellectual Property (NOIP) has a dispatch to answer the disapproval application within 10 working days from date received a dossier. NOIP also sends disapproval opinions to owners of application for registration of mark protection.

Owners of application for registration of mark protection has opinions about this disagreement and give proofs that the application for registration of mark protection is suitable with requirement of Intellectual Property law

NOIP is pursuant to argument, proof and regulation law of parties for agree or refuse to grant a protection title

Opposition dossier includes:

Disapproval declaration (02 copies following form)

Explanation documents for disagreement of protection title issue

Attachment proofs.

Power of attorney (if an application is filed through representative of owner’s mark)

Fee, charge vouchers relating disagreement following regulations in law.

Duration

There is no duration stipulation in Vietnamese law. As our usual, NOIP will take from 6 months to 9 months to examine.

If you are looking for experienced IP services in Vietnam to help you with your Trademark application, you should visit ANT Lawyers. Our attorneys have experience with the IP process and will work closely with you as you apply for your Trademark in Vietnam. 

Source ANTLawyers: https://antlawyers.vn/library/opposition-of-applications-for-registration-of-the-mark-protection.html

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