ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

ANT Lawyers

Vietnam Law Firm with English Speaking Lawyers

Chủ Nhật, 22 tháng 12, 2019

What is the importance of trademarks?


A trademark is any sign that individualizes the goods or services of an enterprise and distinguish them from the good or services of the other similar goods or services available in the market or in simple language it is anything that helps in differentiating a product in the ocean of similar or same category of products.


Although it is not mandatory and is most often ignored by the entrepreneurs but it remains one of the most important asset of any business.

Some of the important reasons are.
An important tool for effective communication: It is a proven fact that an average consumer identify and remember any brand more easily and effectively through its logo. Your mark can convey intellectual and emotional messages about you, your company, its products or services. A mark need not be a word to be identifiable. It can be a symbol, sign or combination of colours etc. Like “swoosh” design of Nike is recognized worldwide although it doesn’t have any word on it.

Trademark enables your customer to locate you: In this open economy the market place is crowded and consumers have too many options for one single product or service. Trademark proves to be an efficient tool to capture consumer’s attention and make your products and services stand out. Consumer viewing a trademark immediately know who they are dealing with. Often reputation of a particular trademark play a critical role in customer’s purchasing decision.

Trademark facilitates to effectively utilize the internet and various social media platforms: We all very well know how important is to have an online presence in this era. Your brand name is the first thing any customer enters into google or social media site like Facebook, twitter to know about your products and services and basis his decision on the published information.

Trademark is a valuable asset: A trademark fall under class of intangible asset and can appreciate over time. The value of any trademark is directly co-related to the reputation of business. Trademark paves the way for expansion from one industry to another. For example - Titan the homegrown brand for watches has become so popular over time and they used the same trademark to launch their eyewear range in recent past. It helped people to attribute same trust to this newly launched brand which titan watches have and this helped in boosting the company’s ambition for expansion. Trademarks similar to real estate can be bought, sold, licensed or at times used as security interest to secure a loan for your business.

Trademarks are perpetual (i.e they never expire) : Unlike other forms of intellectual property, trademark can exist for entire life of your business provided you renew it after every 10 years.
Source: Quora

Thứ Sáu, 20 tháng 12, 2019

How do I protect intellectual property for my software?


First, you must protect the code. You must have agreements with the developers, confirming that any code they will develop working on your project is your sole property. This is a must. You might want an attorney to draft the agreement. Copyright will protect the code once it is created, you might get an official protection. However, you will have to publish the source code, in this case.

Second, you must protect the trademark (this can wait if you are low on cash). It has to be protected, otherwise someone else can monetize on your success, nonetheless, you can protect it once your software starts selling. However, I do recommend checking if the name is available prior to naming your software, it might be painful to change the name when the software is published.

Third, you can protect some features of your software with patents. Patents are the main reason why Microsoft is flourishing.

Source: Quora
If you are looking for an IP attorney, but are concerned about the typical costs associated with the traditional legal search, you should visit ANT Lawyers where we work to trim those costs. We will match you with an experienced IP attorney in Vietnam for a free, no obligation consultation. Hope this helps.



Thứ Tư, 18 tháng 12, 2019

Danang city Expands the Cooperation with Italia


On December 17th, 2019, the representative of Danang city met Mr. Dante Brandi the General ambassador of Italia paying a working visit to Danang.
In 2019, the export turnover to Italy is estimated at US $ 4.6 million, import turnover from Italy is estimated at US $ 4.1 million. Main export products are textiles, aquatic products, fishing rods and handicrafts. The main import items are medicine, electrical equipment, spare parts, and garment materials. At present, there are about 15 enterprises having import and export trade relations with the Italian market, 6 Italian investment projects in manufacturing, processing and services with the total capital is USD 1,2 mil.
The representative of Danang city suggest Mr. Dante Brandi support the city to contact the Italian investors and enterprises in the hi-tech, environment, hi-service which is the strength of Italia and Danang is needing in the coming time.
At the moment, Danang didn’t have the official cooperation relationship with any cities of Italia; therefore Danang hopes Mr. Dante Brandi could introduce some cities of Italia where have the same character and the way to develop, therefore Danang can establish the relationship in the way to transfer the staffs to develop the city and environment management system.
Mr. Danta Brandi supports the relationship between Danang and other cities of Italia, establish the straight flight from Danang to Italia,… to increase the cooperation, development in travel of the two countries, in the time that many Italian investors wish to set up company to invest in Vietnam. And also it is planned to increase the programs on teaching the Italian language in the Danang Foreign Language University, open the sport cars exhibitions, attract the Italian enterprises expand and operate their business in Danang,…
The representative of Danang wishes to attract more and more the Italian investors to develop the investment relationship between Danang and Italia in the future. Besides, the cooperation with Italia will help Danang to develop the targets of the city in travel, hi-tech, and environment direction.
ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh city. We provide convenient access to our clients. Please contact us to book your time in advance to let us provide our best services.
ANT Lawyers, your lawyers in Vietnam.


What are common investment methods in Vietnam?


In Vietnam laws, there are a number of investment methods such as establishing economic organizations; investment in the form of capital contribution, purchase of shares or capital contributions in business organizations; Business Cooperation Contract or Public Private Partnership. Investment in establishing economic organizations, capital contribution, purchase of share or capital contributions are most common in our opinion.


Investment in establishing economic organizations
For investment in the establishment of economic organization, an investor invests capital to carry out the establishment of an enterprise, cooperative, cooperative union or other organization to carry out business investment activities. This is a way of direct investment in which investors directly invest capital and directly participate in management activities.
Forms of establishment of economic organizations include two types: Establishing company with 100% foreign capital; or establishing joint ventures between domestic investors or the Government of Vietnam with foreign investors.

Before establishing an economic organization, the foreign investor must have an investment project and carry out the procedures for the grant of an investment registration certificate. Besides, the conditions for the charter capital ownership and the conditions prescribed by international treaties to which Vietnam is a member need to be met. Regarding charter capital, foreign investors are allowed to hold unlimited ownership in economic organizations, except for cases where the investors operate in fields related to listed companies, public companies, securities trading organizations and securities investment funds in accordance with the law on securities; State owned enterprises equitized or transformed under other forms. In addition, investors must check international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory.

It should be noted that depending on the amount of investment capital of a foreign investor, the legal status of an economic organization after its establishment will be determined differently. If the foreign investor holds 51% or more of charter capital, the economic organization after its establishment will have to carry out the procedures applicable to foreign investors. Conversely, if foreign investors hold less than 51% of the charter capital, the regulations applicable to economic organizations after their establishment are applied as domestic investors.

Investment in the form of capital contribution, purchase of shares or capital contributions in business organizations
Foreign investors who wish to access the Vietnamese market but do not want to establish an economic organization can contribute capital, buy shares or buy capital contributions to business organizations operating in Vietnam.

With this form, the investor will become a member or shareholder of that economic organization. It requires investors to meet a conditions similar to the form of establishment of economic organizations. Having said that, it must meet the conditions for the charter capital ownership and the conditions prescribed by international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. Depending on each specific case, the investor must follow the procedures for registration of capital contribution, purchase of shares or capital contribution in an economic organization and send to the competent agency for recognition of legal investment.
Understanding the regulations are important for investors to enter the Vietnam market and consulting with Vietnam lawyers would help investors make informed decision for their business plan in Vietnam.

ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam located in the business centers of Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh city. We provide convenient access to our clients. Please contact us to book your time in advance to let us provide our best services.
ANT Lawyers, your lawyers in Vietnam.









Thứ Ba, 17 tháng 12, 2019

What is the difference between a registered trademark and unregistered trademark?


Each country allocates a level of respect to unregistered Trademarks. This varies from very little to serious as in the USA.
In the UK if you have an unregistered Trademark you are likely to be allowed to continue use in the area where you have established goodwill. Example you have a restaurant in Bristol and your regular customers come from a twenty mile radius. However someone has obtained a registered UK Trademark for a similar or identical Trademark covering restaurant services. The owner of the registration is going to be able to prevent you opening another restaurant with the same name outside your Bristol plus twenty mile area, unless you can persuade the tribunal to cancel the registered Trademark. This is most unlikely unless you can show good evidence of custom beyond Bristol.

A registered Trademark gives you the right to use the letter R encircled next to your Trademark and will carry a legal presumption that the Trademark is yours for the country in question. You will also find that intellectual property insurance is more cost effectively obtained. Additionally the authorities such as police and customs may possibly assist in preventing misuse of your Registration.
Source: Quora

It is wise to consult the advice of a IP attorneys in Vietnam to help assist you with your trademark. We are a legal marketplace with quality lawyers who are knowledgeable in various areas of the law—including intellectual property rights.




Chủ Nhật, 15 tháng 12, 2019

How do I use samples in my music without infringing copyrights?


It depends on a couple of things: how you plan to use the music and whether or not the average listener will be able to identify the samples.

Typically, you won’t have an issue if you abide by the following:
-Only use the music for personal use (as in you make absolutely no money)
-You are performing the music live (as in you are not copying and selling the music).
-If you do distribute to the public, then the average listener can’t tell what the samples are or if your use falls under the “fair use” category.

Meeting Fair Use Requirements:
-When making this determination, the courts will consider the following points:
-Did the original owner suffer financially due to your use of their samples?
-Did you totally transform the sound to create a brand new song?
-Did you take a large portion of the original song?
-Keep in mind, many of these questions are subjective and it’s not a clear cut situation by any means.

When it doubt: Ask permission. This is the absolute easiest way to avoid any kind of litigation. Reach out the the original owner and simply ask them if you can use a sample of their music to incorporate in your own. Usually you will need to obtain permission from the copyright owner of the song (publisher) and the copyright owner of the master tape (record company).
It is wise to consult the advice of a IP attorneys in Vietnam to help assist you with your trademark. We are a legal marketplace with quality lawyers who are knowledgeable in various areas of the law—including intellectual property rights.

Source: Quora



Thứ Năm, 12 tháng 12, 2019

What is the importance of trademark registration?


Trademark Registration is a legal protection for your Brand name which can’t be copied by any other party Legally. If in case they copy that brand then through the Rights under Intellectual Property Act. The owner of the Trademark can recover the whole profit earned with the name of Registered Trademark.


Many of my clients have said that their lenders or investors felt more comfortable once registration was achieved in important countries.

if you have registrations in major countries such as US , UK you can persuade amazon, eBay etc. to shut down infringing websites without the time and expense of court action.

Customers even search and see you are serious about your rights. It is so cheap to do you look very cheap if you don’t do it.

If you need to prevent infringing use by competitors the court will assume that your right is valid until the other side has proved that it is not. The percentage of registrations found invalid is minuscule. Once you have registration it can be renewed forever as of right. In the UK registration no 1 remains valid as the owners renewed it every ten years since 1876. You have to police the use of the mark, use and renew and then it’s yours forever.

If you have a registration potential licensees have an easy way of finding you. Lenders can give loans secured on registrations.

It is wise to consult the advice of a IP attorneys in Vietnam to help assist you with your trademark. We are a legal marketplace with quality lawyers who are knowledgeable in various areas of the law—including intellectual property rights.

Advantages of establishment of a representative office in Vietnam


En.antlawyers.com – Following the trend of international economic integration, foreigners have been attracted by the benefits of doing business in Vietnam through setting up representative office, setting up company, acquiring shares in Vietnam enterprise through M&A activity.
At the initial stage, foreign entity would try to research market, undertake due diligence on its clients, buyers, clients, or other business partners therefore many will be interested in establishing a representative office in Vietnam.
The foundation of representative office of foreign entity in Vietnam is governed under Vietnam Commercial Law 2005 and Decree 07/2016 / ND-CP dated 25 May, 2016.
Advantages of establishment of a representative office:
Establishing a representative office is a tool to research the market. For the first time, foreign enterprises entering the Vietnam market, the primary purpose is understanding the market, undertaking research on clients, or due diligence on their business partners, distributors, monitoring the performance of buyers and being familiar with the Vietnam market. The establishment of representative office in Vietnam turns out to be the most effective option both of cost and time.
The representative office in Vietnam is an effective tool to promote commercial activity, seeking partners, and increasing opportunities to expand business market in Vietnam.
Representative office form in Vietnam has allowed foreign entity to receive benefits such as recruiting Vietnamese employees, foreign employees working in offices whom could apply for work permit in Vietnam, then temporary residence card in Vietnam, opening bank accounts in foreign currencies or Vietnam dong at commercial banks, and to be allowed to use those accounts solely for their operations.
According to the laws of Vietnam, the establishment of representative offices does not require the investor’s capital. Instead, setting up a company in Vietnam, an economic organization requires capital contribution as per business plan, ranging from USD 50 k to million USD. Sometime, if the investment fall under conditional areas, setting up company seems more challenging.  This relieves the foreign trader from advancing too much to achieve the purpose of expanding the market before the business plan has been proved to materialize.
Further, the establishment of representative office follows more simple procedures for licensing in Vietnam than establishing entity in Vietnam. Accordingly, the process has been taken less time which is more favorable for foreign traders.

Challenges of the establishment of representative office in Vietnam?
Vietnam law provides that, in order to establish a representative office in Vietnam, foreign traders have to prove the fulfillment of the financial responsibility in their country. In practice, the foreign entity is expected to provide audited financial statements. In some countries, the financial audited report is not available according to laws. The Vietnam Department of Trade and Commerce, which state authority would grand representative office operation certificate would require documents showing the fulfillment of tax liabilities or financial obligations of the last fiscal year, or equivalent documents as proof of existence and operation of the foreign trader issued or certified by competent authorities where such foreign trader is established. This provision may initially be difficult. However, if the foreign trader has been established and operated legally in their country, the implementation of this provision is not a major obstacle.

As a large potential market such a Vietnam, as well as the current rapid reform in administrative procedures, Vietnam Government has been more flexible to encourage foreign traders doing business in Vietnam, hence the establishment of representative offices is an optimal method to consider for market research, trade promotion and a stepping stone to penetrate the Vietnam market successfully.
ANT Lawyers – A Law firm in Vietnam has law offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.  The lawyers at each law offices in Vietnam have consistently made valuable and important contributions to our profession through the cases we handled on daily basis to facilitate business transaction or represented our clients to access justice.













Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 12, 2019

Public services are provided through the National Public Service Portal


On December 9, 2019, the opening ceremony of the National Public Service Portal took place in Hanoi connecting with 5 other bridges across the country. Accordingly, after the National Public Service portal is officially put into operation, people only need to register to open an account (via phone number, enter identity card or identification number) and the system will also authenticate by secured OPT code similar to online transaction to the registered phone number people.
With a view of publicity and transparency, the National Service Portal aims to be a website that helps provide information and support the implementation of online administrative and public service procedures nationwide. When using the National Public Service Portal, individuals and enterprises with single sign-on function, use one account of the National Public Service Portal to log in the public service portal of the Ministry and localities. Implementation of administrative procedures in many provinces and cities only needs to be declared once on the National Public Service Portal. This means that by accessing only one address, with a single account, individuals and enterprises can log in to all of the ministry-level and provincial-level public service portals performing online public services; monitoring the settlement status, assessing the quality of settling and sending feedback, recommendations regardless of the time and administrative boundaries. At the same time, with the role of a hub to connect with public service portals, databases, the implementation of online public services through the National Public Service Portal will help individuals and enterprises much more convenient due to reuse existing information and save time for document preparation, thereby significantly reducing social costs in the implementation of administrative procedures, especially those related to many agencies.
Some essential public service groups will be initially provided, including public services delivered in 63 provinces and cities such as Notice of promotional activities; The re-issuance of health insurance; The supply of low-voltage and medium-voltage power and integration of electricity payment utilities and 4 public services performed at the Ministry level are The issuance of driver’s license; Sign up for promotions; Group of services for granting certificates of origin of goods; Electronic tax payment for businesses.
According to the integrated roadmap for providing online public services, by 2020, at least 30% of essential online public services will be integrated; after 2020, to gradually increase by 20% every year, integrating 20% of online services at levels 3 and 4 of ministries, branches and localities.
It is expected by quarter 1/2020, the government will continue to implement services such as Electronic tax payment for individuals; Cancelling the customs declaration; Supplementing customs documents; Group of procedures for registration of security transactions; Fines payment for road traffic offenses; Driver’s license change (level 4), New driving license issue; Business Registration; Collecting fees and registration fees for cars, motorbikes, etc.
The National Public Service Portal is set up at to make public and transparent information related to administrative procedures and provide, support the implementation of public services according to demand for use, accord with each object; ensure the ability of individuals, organizations to supervise, evaluate and account for the state agencies’ accountability in the provision of public services; accelerate administrative procedure reform through the application of information technology; improve Vietnam’s position on online public service index in e-government development index according to the United Nations ranking. Individuals, companies will be provided with public services regardless of time and administrative boundaries so that they can save time, effort and money, increasing Vietnam’s competitiveness edge.
ANT Lawyers is a law firm in Vietnam with international standards, recognized by Legal500, IFLR1000. We arre an exclusive Vietnam member of Prae Legal, the global law firm net work covering more than 150 jurisdictions. The firm provides a range of legal services as following to multinational and domestic clients.




Thứ Ba, 10 tháng 12, 2019

Danang’s Target in 2020 is “The Year of Promoting Investment Attraction”


On December 04th, 2019 Danang city held the conference on the result of the socio-economic development in 2019 and the target of the city in 2020.  The conference affirmed the situation of implementing the city’s political duties, ensuring some criteria for socio-economic exceeded the assigned estimate (estimated at VND 28.170 billion, reached 102,9% of the estimate, up 3,5%; attracted more than 3.696 billion dong of domestic investment and more than 658 million USD of foreign investment capital (newly granted investment certificates of 118 FDI projects with a total registered capital of 437,13 million development of the city. In 2019, the city has achieved some outstanding results such as: budget revenue USD, 8 times higher than the same period); Total tourist arrivals were estimated at 8.69 times, up 13.4%, revenue from tourism activities was estimated at 30.973 billion VND, up 16,7%. In the year, social order and safety were maintained, is considered by many investors and tourists to be a destination for investment and tourism.


In 2020 is particularly important, the last year to implement the 5-year plan from 2016 to 2020 and the year of many political and cultural events. At this 19th Conference, the Conference agreed on the theme of 2020 as “The year of promoting investment attraction” with specific tasks to focus on implementing: promulgate new preferential policies of the city to attract investors; implement plans on improving the quality and efficiency of foreign investment cooperation; continue to improve infrastructure, expand high-tech zones, create land fund to call for investment; continue to remove obstacles in the planning, land management, human resources for businesses and investors. In 2020, the city will actively coordinate with ministries and branches to submit to the National Assembly for approval of the Resolution on Danang construction and development to 2030, with a vision to 2045; on that basis, submit to the Government for promulgation a decree on specific mechanisms and policies on city development.
In addition, with the goal of attracting foreign investors, the city hopes to receive more investors from many countries around the world to invest in high-tech and technology industries, biology, environmental protection projects, tourism development, etc. through setting up company, factory in Danang City. This is a great opportunity for international investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Danang today, in order to enjoy the incentives, as well as the highest investment efficiency in the future.
ANT Lawyers - law firmin Vietnam is pround to support clients and promote Danang as a friendly destination for investment in Vietnam.