Question 1

Is copyright registration mandatory?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not mandatory. Under Article 6 of the Law on Intellectual Property, copyright automatically arises as soon as a work is created — no registration, payment, or notification is required. However, official registration at the Copyright Office of Vietnam provides much stronger legal evidence — the Certificate is admissible in court and serves as the basis for handling infringement and claiming damages.

Question 2

How long is copyright protected for?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of work: for literary, musical, cinematographic, fine art, and photographic works — protection lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years after the author's death. For computer programs and anonymous works — 75 years from the date of first publication. This is a very long protection term compared to patents (20 years) or industrial designs (up to 15 years).

Question 3

Can software be registered for copyright?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Computer programs are protected as literary works under the Copyright Law (Article 14 of the Law on Intellectual Property). The registration fee is 600,000 VND per software program. The source code must be submitted — typically the first and last 50–100 pages, or the entire code on CD/USB. The source code is kept confidential by the Copyright Office of Vietnam.

Question 4

Can I register copyright for multiple works at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but each work must have its own application file and its own Certificate. There is no provision for combining multiple works into a single application. However, an "anthology" or "collection" may be considered a single work and registered in one application.

Question 5

How is registration handled when there are multiple co-authors?

Accepted Answer

All co-authors must sign the application or provide a power of attorney. The Certificate will list the names of all co-authors. Economic rights belong to all co-authors jointly — the consent of all co-authors is required to assign or license the work, unless otherwise agreed.

Question 6

Where are copyright disputes resolved?

Accepted Answer

Copyright disputes may be resolved through: (1) Administrative authorities — the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Information and Communications, or Market Surveillance authorities; (2) The People's Courts (from July 1, 2025, specialized IP courts operate at the provincial People's Courts); (3) Commercial arbitration (VIAC), if an arbitration clause exists. The Certificate of Copyright Registration is critical evidence in any dispute.

Question 7

What should I do if someone copies my work?

Accepted Answer

If you discover an infringement: (1) Collect evidence (photographs, videos, samples of the infringing product); (2) Contact LTV Law to assess the severity of the infringement; (3) Send a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the infringement stop; (4) If the matter cannot be resolved, file an administrative complaint or a civil lawsuit for damages under Article 204 of the Law on Intellectual Property.

Question 8

Is a work already registered abroad protected in Vietnam?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the country is a member of the Berne Convention (172 member states). Vietnam joined the Berne Convention in 2004. Works by nationals of Berne Convention member states are automatically protected in Vietnam under the principle of "national treatment" — no re-registration in Vietnam is required. However, registering in Vietnam is still recommended, as it provides stronger evidence.

Type of Work	Government Fee
Literary, scientific, journalistic works	100,000 VND
Musical and theatrical works	200,000 VND
Fine art and architectural works	150,000–200,000 VND
Cinematographic works, videos	500,000 VND
Computer programs (software)	600,000 VND
Photographic works	100,000 VND
LTV Law service fee	Contact for a quote

Copyright Registration
Certificate of Copyright Registration

Quick Facts

What Is Copyright? Automatic or Requires Registration?

16 Types of Protected Works (Article 14, Law on IP)

Protection Term by Type of Work (Article 27, Law on IP)

Copyright Registration Process in Vietnam

Documents Required for Copyright Registration

Government Fees for the Certificate of Copyright Registration

LTV Law's Copyright Registration Service

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LTV Law — Your Trusted Intellectual Property Partner

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8 Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright Registration

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Copyright Registration Certificate of Copyright Registration