Register the trademark for translation services in Vietnam

Vietnam’s economy fits with the world economy so trade exchanges between countries are becoming more and more popular. To understand different languages, business entities need to rely on translation services provided to discuss, capture the partner’s information, to avoid future disputes. For businesses, this type of service can apply for trademark protection to create their reputation.

Goods/services classification:

         According to the Nice Classification, translation services are classified in class 41

A dossier 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 apply, this declaration will be signed by the representative of Viet An Law);
• A power of attorney Viet An Law to apply;
• Receipts of fee payments.

For the collective trademark registration application, in addition to the above documents, the dossier is required to have the following documents:

• A regulation on the use of the collective trademark/ certification trademark;
• A description of characteristic (or specific) nature and quality of the product bearing the trademark (if the trademark is registered as a collective trademark for a specific product or a certification trademark quantity of the product or trademark certifying of geographical origin);
• A geographical area map (if the registered trademark is a trademark certifying the geographical origin of the product, or a collective trademark, the certification trademark contains a place name or other trademark indicating the geographical origin of the local property products);
• A document of the People’s Committee of Provinces/Centrally-run Cities permitting the registration of a trademark certifying geographical origin (if the registered trademark is a collective trademark, certification trademark contains a place name or other trademarks (the geographical origin of the local property products).

Notices: A trademark sample can be registered in color or black-and-white. When registering in black-and-white, the trademark will be protected in other colors. However, if registering as a color combination, the trademark will only be protected when using the correct color registered. Therefore, customers should prioritize the selection of black-and-white registration to be able to flexibly change color during production and business.

Time to process a trademark registration application:

• Form appraisal time: 01 – 02 months;
• Publish the application on the gazette: 02 months;
• Content appraisal time: 09 – 12 months;
• Grant and Publish the protection title to the owner: 01 – 02 months.

Notices: Before the state management agencies in charge of industrial property rights issue a notice to refuse to grant a protection title or to accept to grant a protection title, the owners can assign the application under contract or inherit. In this case, the applicant needs to carry out the procedure to amend the trademark registration in Vietnam to record changes of the applicant and the applicant shall pay fees.

Enterprises, individuals wishing for trademark registration in Vietnam & around the world please contact Viet An Law – Vietnam intellectual property agent  for detailed instructions on filing a trademark registration application.