Register a trademark for shower gel products in Vietnam

Currently, there are many shower gel products in the market such as Lifebuoy, Enchanteur, Hazeline, Lux… and products for men such as Ax, Romano, X-Men,… However, these products are frequently counterfeited in the market. Therefore, producers and traders of this product type need to pay attention to trademark registration to protect their reputation.

Classify goods and services:

         Goods and services classification plays an important role, it helps to define the scope of trademark protection objects and also helps for the search for the most accurate trademark result.

         According to the Nice Classification, shower gel is classified in class 03.

Search for a trademark:

–       Preliminary search: Viet An Law will conduct a preliminary search for free within one-day from the date customers provide the trademark sample.

– Intensive search: After the preliminary search of the trademark, there is no sign of similarity to the registered trademark. Customers should carry out an intensive search procedure of Viet An Law to evaluate the highest possibility of protection. The search procedure through Viet An Law representative is 01 – 03 working days.

         Notices: Law on Intellectual Property allows for priority rights in some cases. Therefore, the trademark search before registration does not guarantee 100% of the trademark will be granted a trademark registration certificate. However, this search will increase the owner’s acceptability of the trademark application.

Monitor the application and grant the protection title:

         According to law, it takes 13 – 18 months from the date an application is received to have a result. Specifically, Form appraisal (01 – 02 months), Publish the application on the gazette (02 months), Content appraisal (09 – 12 months), Grant and Publish the protection title (01 – 02 months). 

A trademark registration application includes:

• A trademark sample with dimensions bigger than 3 x 3 cm and smaller than 8 x 8 cm;
• A list of goods/services intended to register;
• A trademark registration declaration (if customers authorize Viet An Law to submit, this declaration will be signed by the representative of Viet An Law);
• A power of attorney;
• Receipts of fee payments.

To ensure the highest possibility of trademark registration, customers can use Viet An Law services on:

• Advice on the law on intellectual property in general and trademark in particular;
• Search for the trademark and give advice, evaluate the possibility of trademark registration;
• Advice on trademark intended to register an amendment to increase the possibility to register;
• Draft the dossier and apply at the Intellectual Property office;
• Monitor registering process at the Intellectual Property office;
• Represent for customers in the whole process and discuss with the Intellectual Property Office by official-letter about trademark protection;
• Discuss, provide information to customers in the trademark registration process.

For any information relating to trademark registration in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Law to have more detailed advice.