What is trademark registration? Trademark registration procedure in 2025

In today’s fiercely competitive business environment, trademark registration is a critical factor that enables enterprises to establish legal ownership of their trademarks and mitigate legal risks. If you are seeking information on the procedures for trademark protection in Vietnam, this article provides detailed guidance and step-by-step instructions to ensure your trademark is comprehensively protected.

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I. What is Trademark Registration?

Trademark registration is an administrative procedure conducted by a competent state authority, serving as legal recognition of ownership rights to a trademark.

• For individuals and organizations doing business in Vietnam:

  • They may directly submit the trademark application to the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN);

  • Or authorize an intellectual property representative company to submit the application on their behalf.

• For foreign individuals and organizations as provided in Article 89 of the 2005 Intellectual Property Law:

  • Vietnamese organizations and individuals, foreign individuals residing in Vietnam, and foreign organizations and individuals having production or business establishments in Vietnam may file applications for the establishment of industrial property rights directly or through a lawful representative in Vietnam.

  • Foreign individuals not residing in Vietnam, and foreign organizations and individuals without production or business establishments in Vietnam must file such applications through a lawful representative in Vietnam.

Accordingly, foreign organizations and individuals—regardless of whether they are residing in Vietnam or not, or whether they have production or business establishments in Vietnam—still have the right to register a trademark. However, such entities must clearly determine which category they fall under in order to identify the proper legal subject authorized to file an application for the establishment of trademark rights.

II. Benefits of Trademark Registration

We present several reasons why clients should proceed with trademark registration:

• To prove legal ownership of the trademark against third parties;

• Intellectual property rights for a trademark are only established once it is registered with the competent authority;

• To gain exclusive rights to use the trademark throughout the territory of Vietnam during the validity of the registration certificate;

• To prevent all acts of infringement upon the registered trademark;

• To create a competitive advantage and help consumers easily recognize and distinguish the brand from others;

• Once the trademark becomes well-known, the owner may license or assign the trademark to others and generate income from it.

To protect your product’s trademark and prevent counterfeiting or imitation by others, the owner must proceed with the registration of the trademark for the products they manufacture.

III. Trademark Registration Procedure

Step 1: Trademark SearchThis step aims to check whether there are any identical or similar trademarks previously registered by other entities. It also helps assess the likelihood of the trademark being granted protection.

There are two search methods available for clients to consider:

• Free preliminary search via the official platform of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN): https://ipplatform.gov.vn/

• Paid official search conducted by the IPVN upon request.

Given the large number of trademark applications filed each year, conducting a search is essential to ensure the registrability of a trademark.

Step 2: Application Dossier Includes

In the case where the applicant files the trademark application directly:

• Trademark specimen (08 copies) with dimensions of 8 x 8 cm;

• List of goods and/or services for which trademark protection is sought;

• Trademark registration application form;

• Documents proving the right of priority or right of inheritance/gift (if applicable);

• Citizen Identification Card.

Trademark Application Dossier (When Using Legal Services of Vietlink Law Firm)

• Trademark specimen (08 copies) with dimensions of 8 x 8 cm;

• List of goods and/or services for which trademark protection is sought;

• Documents evidencing the right of priority or the right of inheritance/gift (if applicable);

• Power of attorney or service agreement authorizing Vietlink Law Firm to act on the client's behalf.

In addition, depending on each specific case, the client may be required to provide other relevant documents.

IV. Filing Procedure

1. Filing a Trademark Application in Vietnam

On the same day Vietlink submits the trademark application to the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN), we will send the client a copy of the application form indicating the application number and the official filing date in Vietnam.

2. Formality Examination of the Trademark Application in Vietnam

Timeframe: 01 month from the date of filing.

The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) will review whether the application meets formal requirements such as formality, trademark specimen, applicant identity, right to file, classification, etc.

• If the application meets all requirements, the IPVN will issue a Notice of Acceptance of a Valid Application and proceed to publish the application.

• If the application does not meet the requirements, the IPVN will issue a Notice of Refusal and request the applicant to make amendments. The applicant must revise the application accordingly and submit an official amendment document to the IPVN.

3. Trademark Application Publication Period in Vietnam

Timeframe: 02 months from the date of issuance of the Notice of Acceptance of a Valid Application.

The publication shall include details from the accepted application, the trademark specimen, and the list of goods/services associated with the mark.

4. Substantive Examination of the Trademark in Vietnam

Timeframe: 09 months from the date of publication.

The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) will assess the eligibility conditions for trademark protection and evaluate whether the application qualifies for issuance of a protection title. If the application satisfies all requirements, the IPVN will issue a Notice of Intent to Grant a Protection Title for the registered trademark.

VI. Our Trademark Registration Consulting Services Include:

• Providing advice and proposing trademark design ideas for clients upon request;

• Conducting a preliminary trademark search to assess registrability before proceeding with an official search, helping clients save costs;

• Advising, guiding, or directly modifying trademark specimens that are identical or confusingly similar to existing marks;

• Preparing and submitting the application dossier to the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN), and monitoring the application process until a final result is issued;

• Receiving the Certificate of Trademark Registration, notifying the client, and delivering the certificate for reference and safekeeping;

• Offering free consultation and support for other related services (if applicable).

Vietlink Law Firm is a leading legal service provider in the field of trademark consulting and registration in Vietnam. With many years of experience and a team of highly specialized intellectual property attorneys, we are committed to delivering professional, efficient, and results-driven services to help businesses protect their trademarks comprehensively.

Vietlink has successfully assisted thousands of enterprises in registering trademarks both domestically and internationally, affirming our reputation through every case handled.

With the motto “Accuracy – Confidentiality – Dedication”, we stand by our clients at every stage—from consultation and trademark search to registration and enforcement—ensuring maximum protection against all legal risks.

If you are seeking legal advice in the field of intellectual property, please do not hesitate to contact us for immediate consultation:

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VIETLINK LAW FIRM CO., LTD

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