Trademark Registration for the Entertainment Industry in Vietnam

In the context of the entertainment industry’s robust development – particularly with the explosion of digital media platforms, game shows, music, and cinema – media brand protection is a vital factor for organizations and individuals operating in this field. To ensure trademarks are granted protection titles quickly, saving time and costs, entities need to clearly understand the legal regulations on trademark registration for the entertainment industry in Vietnam. Below, Viet An Law Firm provides essential information regarding entertainment trademark Vietnam.

Which goods and services class does the entertainment industry fall into?

• According to regulations, a trademark must be attached to specific goods and services. Therefore, when registering for protection, the applicant must identify the list of products, goods, and services associated with the trademark to register the appropriate class according to the Nice Classification.
• Based on the International Classification of Goods and Services under the Nice Agreement (Version 12-2025), services related to the entertainment industry are primarily classified into Class 41. Identifying the correct services is essential for a valid Class 41 trademark application, which includes the following types of services:
• Organization of exhibitions for cultural or educational purposes;
• News reporters services and photographic reporting;
• Film production, production of performance shows, and entertainment programs;
• Cultural, educational, and entertainment services such as: amusement parks, circuses, zoos, art galleries, museums;
• Game services, online gaming, gambling services, organization of lotteries;
• Ticket agency services (entertainment, educational, and sporting events);
• Creative writing services: screenwriting, songwriting, etc.

Components of the entertainment industry trademark registration dossier

Pursuant to Article 100 and Article 105 of the Law on Intellectual Property and Article 24 of Circular 23/2023/TT-BKHCN, the trademark registration dossier includes the following documents:

• 02 trademark registration declarations according to the prescribed form;
• 05 trademark samples with dimensions of 80 mm x 80 mm;
• 01 Power of Attorney (in case of authorization to another individual or organization to file the application);
• Documents proving priority rights, if there is a request to enjoy priority rights;
• In the case of registering a collective mark, the regulations on the use of the collective mark must be provided;
• In the case of registering a certification mark, the following documents are required:
  • Regulations on the use of the certification mark;
  • Explanation of the characteristic (or specific) nature and quality of the entertainment service bearing the mark;
  • Map of the geographical area (if it is a mark certifying geographical origin or contains place names or other signs indicating the geographical origin of local specialties);
  • Document from the People’s Committee of the province or centrally-run city permitting the registration of the trademark (if it contains place names or other signs indicating the geographical origin of local specialties).

Instructions for declaring the trademark registration form

Form Model

The trademark registration declaration for the entertainment industry is executed according to Form No. 08, Appendix I issued with Decree No. 65/2023/ND-CP.

Filling out the declaration

• The Trademark Registration Certificate will be issued in electronic or paper form; if the applicant wishes to receive a paper certificate, check the box on page 1;
• The description of the trademark in Section I of the declaration is carried out as follows:
  • Describe the signs constituting the trademark: The trademark is created by a figurative part, a word part, or a combination of both;
  • For word marks: Record the specific content of the word part and describe it, including: Font (bold, uppercase, lowercase, italic…), typeface, color of the letters, meaning; if the word part is in a foreign language, it must be translated into Vietnamese;
  • For figurative marks: Describe the color, layout, shapes, lines, and meaning (if any);
  • In the case of a combined word and figurative mark: Describe in detail both the word and figurative parts, and the layout of the trademark;
  • Describe the trademark in order from top to bottom, left to right, outside to inside;
  • Avoid using descriptive terms that are directional or advertising in nature (Example: “No. 1”, “Leading”, “Exclusive”…).
• Declare the information in the applicant section accurately;
• Mark all documents included in the dossier fully;
• Select the group of goods/services corresponding to the entertainment field; Use a semicolon “;” between products/services within the group, and record the total number of services in that group at the end; Example: Class 41: Amusement park services; Theater productions; Game library services (03 services).

Agency granting trademark registration certificates for the entertainment industry

The competent authority to grant trademark registration certificates for the entertainment industry is the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP). Therefore, organizations and individuals must submit trademark registration applications to NOIP to be granted protection titles.

Method of filing trademark registration applications

Previously, organizations and individuals filed trademark applications through two forms: direct submission or via postal service to NOIP in Hanoi or its Representative Offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

However, according to Notice No. 2929/TB-SHTT, starting from August 10, 2025, NOIP will prioritize receiving and processing applications filed online via the website: https://dichvucong.ipvietnam.gov.vn for administrative procedures in the field of industrial property, including trademark registration procedures. Therefore, currently, applicants should file trademark registration applications via the online method.

Method of filing trademark registration applications

Sequence of trademark registration for the entertainment industry

• Step 1: Conduct a trademark search to determine if the intended trademark is identical or confusingly similar to other registered trademarks;
• Step 2: Prepare and submit the trademark registration dossier to NOIP and pay the registration state fees;
• Step 3: NOIP receives the application and conducts a formality examination to assess the validity of the application;
• If the application is valid: Issue a decision accepting the valid application;
• If the application is invalid: Issue a notice of intended refusal of the application.
• Step 4: Publication of the application in the Industrial Property Gazette;
• Step 5: Substantive examination of the trademark application;
• Step 6: Send the results of the trademark application processing as follows:
  • Case where the application meets protection conditions: NOIP issues a notice of intention to grant the trademark registration certificate;
  • Case where the application does not meet protection conditions: NOIP issues a notice of intended refusal to grant the trademark registration certificate. If the applicant disagrees with the reason for refusal, they may send a written response clarifying the grounds for their trademark to be granted a title.

How long does it take to register a trademark for the entertainment industry?

For a trademark to be granted a protection title, it takes a significant amount of time. If the trademark application is issued multiple notices for amendment, the time will be further extended. According to the Law on Intellectual Property, the time limit for processing trademark applications is determined as follows:

• Formality examination time: 01 month from the filing date;
• Application publication time: 02 months from the date the application is accepted as valid;
• Substantive examination time: 06 months from the date of publication.

How long does it take to register a trademark for the entertainment industry?

Trademark registration costs

• Trademark registration costs Based on Circular 263/2016/TT-BTC and Article 3 of Circular 63/2023/TT-BTC, the state fees for Entertainment trademark Vietnam include:
• Filing fee: 75,000 VND/application;
• Fee for granting trademark registration certificate: 60,000 VND/01 group of products/services; from the 2nd group onwards, an additional 50,000 VND per group must be paid;
• Industrial property application examination fee: 550,000 VND for 06 products/services in one group; an additional 120,000 VND must be paid for each product/service from the 7th onwards;
• Search fee serving application examination (not exceeding 6 products/services in one group): 100,000 VND; For each group having more than 6 products/services (from the 7th product/service onwards), it is 20,000 VND per product/service (In case NOIP supports the applicant in classification);
• Priority right examination fee (if any): 600,000 VND/request;
• Application publication fee: 120,000 VND.

Some major trademarks in the entertainment industry

• Vie Channel is one of the leading entertainment program production units in Vietnam, directly under Vie Channel Joint Stock Company. In 2020, Vie Channel was granted a trademark protection title for Class 41, reinforcing its media brand protection strategy in this field;
• Dien Quan Media is a large, famous brand with entertainment programs and game shows such as Giong ai giong ai (Hidden Voices), Thach thuc danh hai (Crack Them Up)… which was granted a protection title in August 2019;
• Netflix is a global brand, famous for video-on-demand services and the production of films and entertainment programs. Its symbol is the red “Netflix” text on a black background, helping users easily recognize the brand. Netflix was granted a protection title by NOIP in July 2021 for its Class 41 trademark.

Customers wishing to proceed with trademark registration for the entertainment industry in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Law Firm for the best support!