Regional nations discuss IP protection

Hanoi (VNA) - Delegates from Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar , Singapore and the
host nation, Vietnam , gathered at a seminar in Hanoi on March 3 to share
experiences in the protection of intellectual property rights (IP).

The seminar was jointly organised by the Intellectual Property Department arm of
the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Japan International Cooperation
Agency.

The participants agreed that IP is proving to be an efficient tool to stimulate
economic growth and sustainable development, particularly in this era of an
intellectual economy.

Many countries around the world are developing policies and action plans to raise
the capacity of their IP systems to provide a solid foundation for the development
of their economies, and to increase their competitive edge in the international
arena.

In Vietnam , the promulgation of the Law on Intellectual Property in 2005 has
demonstrated the country's efforts to improve the legislation that governs IP
protection, which is now considered to be at a level to adequately meet societal
requirements, as well as the country's international commitments as a member of
the World Trade Organisation.

However, a number of shortcomings still exist in the implementation of the
protection of IP rights in Vietnam , and tackling theses inadequacies will
require a huge, concerted effort by agencies involved in this field.-Enditem