Dialogue on IPR: A Global Challenge

A group of American Intellectual Property Rights lawyers, visiting Vietnam as part of a "People to People Citizens Ambassadors" Program, met with Vietnamese counterparts to exchange ideas and experiences on IPR issues

On April 14, the Consulate hosted a dozen American lawyers in HCMC to explore Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Vietnam.  After a background briefing with Consul General Ken Fairfax, the group met with local lawyers, officials, and academics who work in government departments, firms and universities that focus on IPR.  During the informal roundtable discussion, Vietnamese and Americans exchanged experiences and advice regarding trademark, patent, and copyright issues.  While coming from different perspectives, participants found areas of common ground, including understanding that copyright infringement, enforcement of IPR, and other challenges apply to countries around the world.  Timely topics such as training, technical expertise, and increasing quality in counterfeit goods rounded out the wide-ranging and animated discussion.