Many Vietnamese businesses start up in agricultural sectors like honey and clean coffee with the desire to build sustainable brands, affirm quality, and earn consumers’ trust. However, a common question they often ask is: “Can our product’s brand be copyrighted?” Especially with seemingly generic terms like “forest honey” or “clean coffee,” is it really feasible to obtain a trademark certificate?

In this article, DEDICA will share what businesses need to know to protect their agricultural brands from risks of copying, counterfeiting, and unauthorized exploitation.

What is trademark copyright? What businesses should understand before applying

When it comes to brand protection, many people still confuse the concepts of “copyright” and “trademark.” In reality, “copyright” applies to creative works like logo design, packaging, promotional images… Meanwhile, “trademark” is a sign used to distinguish one enterprise’s goods or services from another’s.

In the agricultural sector, the trademark is the key factor that helps consumers recognize your product among hundreds of honey or coffee brands on the market. Therefore, what you need to do is register trademark protection with the National Office of Intellectual Property, which is the strongest legal “shield” protecting your brand from infringement.

Can clean coffee or pure honey be trademarked?

The answer is: Yes, but not every name can be granted protection.

According to Vietnam’s Intellectual Property Law, a trademark is protected if it meets conditions such as: being distinctive, not identical or confusingly similar to already registered marks, and not merely descriptive of the goods/services…

For example: “forest honey,” “clean coffee,” “pure coffee”… are phrases that describe product characteristics. If a business only applies with such names, the chances of being rejected are high because the names do not create a unique identity. Instead, you should combine creative elements such as a unique name, symbol, or distinctive mark. For instance: “Rung Vang Coffee,” “Ong Xanh Honey,” or “Thao Moc Farm” are more likely to be accepted thanks to their high distinctiveness.

How to successfully register a trademark for honey or clean coffee brands?

To increase the success rate of registration and protect your brand in the long term, businesses should follow these steps:

Trademark search before filing
Before submitting your application, check whether the trademark is identical or similar to any registered trademarks. Many businesses skip this step, leading to rejection after months of waiting.
DEDICA always recommends clients to use in-depth search services – not only examining the name but also evaluating the overall logo design, the classes of goods/services to register, and the future brand development strategy.
Select the correct product class and describe correctly
According to the Nice Classification, coffee, honey, herbal teas, and agricultural products belong to different classes. Choosing the wrong class or incorrectly describing the scope of use can result in inadequate protection or even invalidation.
Businesses should clarify: is the brand for packaged products or distribution services? Will it apply to online retail? Is there an export plan?… This helps build a more comprehensive registration strategy.
Design a creative and distinctive logo
Besides the brand name, images and logos should also be prioritized. A well-designed logo not only makes your brand stand out but also strengthens legal protection. Even if the name is somewhat generic, a uniquely designed logo or distinctive layout still gives the business a chance for successful registration.
Submit the application and monitor the examination process
Trademark applications are filed at the National Office of Intellectual Property or through an industrial property representative system. The examination period usually takes between 18–24 months. During this time, applicants need to closely follow notifications from the authorities to promptly respond, supplement, or handle disputes if they arise.
Protect and exploit the trademark after registration
After receiving the trademark certificate, businesses need to continue using the trademark consistently and continuously, avoiding cancellation due to non-use for five consecutive years.
Don’t forget to include the trademark in commercial contracts, product packaging, advertising content... to fully utilize the legal and commercial value of this intellectual property asset.

DEDICA – Accompanying businesses on their agricultural brand protection journey

Registering a trademark in the agricultural sector may seem simple but is not easy. Without deep legal knowledge and practical experience, businesses can easily waste time, money, or miss registration opportunities while competitors act quickly.

With experience supporting many small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide, DEDICA’s legal team not only helps you search and register trademarks successfully but also consults on brand development strategy, protects your rights in disputes, and helps exploit the commercial value of your intellectual property effectively.

Are you building a honey brand, clean coffee, or distinctive agricultural products?
Don’t let your brand be copied or used without permission. Let DEDICA accompany and protect your business achievements from the very first step.

Contact DEDICA Law Firm for in-depth legal consultation!
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