Vietnam has implemented several laws and regulations to protect intellectual property, including the Law on Intellectual Property, which covers various aspects such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and geographical indications. Based on this background, Vietnam had become the hosting country of the famous international GC Summit in 2023.
The 2023 GC Summit in Vietnam, organized by Legal500 in Ho Chi Minh City on February 28th, 2023, addressed Vietnam’s position on the global stage and the challenges faced by general counsels (GCs) and senior in-house lawyers of domestic and international companies operating in Vietnam.
Notable law firms such as Frasers Law Company, Tilleke & Gibbins, Russin & Vecchi, Dentons LuatViet, Nishimura & Asahi, ASL Law Firm, and Gulapa & Aguila LLLC participated in the event. The GC Summit featured panel sessions covering various cutting-edge topics.
Highlighted topics at the 2023 GC Summit in Vietnam included:
- M&A in Vietnam: Current trends, market outlook, and deal execution: This session, led by Frasers Law Company’s managing partner Mark Fraser, explored the present and future landscape of M&A in Vietnam. It delved into legal requirements, the overall business climate, and the path to successful deals.
- Potential impacts of Vietnam’s personal data protection regulations and pathways to privacy compliance: Nishimura & Asahi partners Ha Hoang and Tomonobu Murata examined the forthcoming Decree on Protection of Personal Data and New Law on Personal Data Protection in Vietnam. They discussed the implications of these regulations for businesses and the journey to privacy compliance.
- Employee share option plans: Russin & Vecchi’s Nguyen Huu Minh Nhut and Dao Hong Diu discussed employee share option plans as a means to retain key talent while managing costs effectively. They provided insights and considerations for companies considering this approach.
- Intellectual property considerations and issues in M&A in Vietnam: ASL LAW Firm’s M&A and IP expert, Nguyen Tien Hoa, shared practical guidance on navigating intellectual property issues in M&A transactions in Vietnam. The session aimed to equip attendees with tools for success in their future deals.
- Pharmaceutical patent infringement and cancellation practices in Vietnam, patent waivers, and relaxation during COVID: Oliver P. Baclay, JR of Gulapa Law explored the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on legal frameworks, particularly patent waivers and relaxations. This session focused on the pharmaceutical sector and offered valuable insights for GCs operating in that industry.
- Practical tips on dispute resolution in Vietnam for foreign parties: Tilleke & Gibbins led a panel discussion on best practices for foreign entities involved in disputes in Vietnam. The session aimed to provide in-house lawyers with strategies to prevent problems and effectively handle disputes when they arise.
- Project finance: Frasers Law Company conducted a fireside chat featuring Mark Fraser, Nguyen Mai Phuong, and Ho Thuy Ngoc Tram. The discussion centered around project finance, exploring its complexities, risk identification, and the establishment of special purpose entities.
You can find a list of Vietnam IP Firms here.