In the context of Vietnam’s music and entertainment industry becoming more vibrant by the day, numerous professional recording studios are being established, offering services from recording, mixing/mastering to full-scale music production. However, along with that strong development comes the risk of brand copying, idea theft, or even third parties preemptively registering the same brand. To build and protect a name in the industry, trademark protection is an indispensable legal step for any recording studio.

Why does a recording studio need trademark protection?

A brand is not just a name — it is a valuable intellectual asset, a factor that defines market position and builds trust with clients. When a studio operates under its own brand, invests in branding, media, social networks, identity design, all that value truly belongs to them only when the brand is legally protected.

If you do not register your trademark, you risk many legal problems: someone else may exploit your brand name for profit, or worse, they may register the trademark first and force you to stop using the name you have carefully built. There have been numerous cases in Vietnam where recording studios lost their brand because they had not yet registered protection.

Where to start the trademark protection procedure for a recording studio?

Trademark protection in Vietnam is mainly implemented through registering a trademark at the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP). This process involves many steps requiring careful preparation to avoid rejection or legal entanglements later on.

Classification and trademark search before registration

The first step is to classify the studio’s service according to the Nice Classification. Generally, recording studio services will fall under Class 41 (education, training, entertainment) and Class 35 if the studio also engages in promotion, commercial media services.

Then, conduct preliminary search and in-depth search to check whether your intended brand name conflicts or is confusingly similar to already registered trademarks. This step is especially important because if the name duplicates one already protected, the registration application will be rejected.

At DEDICA, we always recommend clients perform thorough searches with legal support to increase the chance of obtaining a protection certificate on the first filing.

Documents and registration process for a recording studio’s trademark

The trademark registration dossier includes:

Application form as prescribed by NOIP;
The mark sample to be registered (logo, words, etc.);
The list of services classified by subclasses;
Legal documents of the applicant (ID card/Citizen ID for individuals; Business Registration Certificate for companies);
Evidence of payment of fees and charges.

Once fully prepared, the dossier is submitted to NOIP or its local representative offices. During this time, the studio may still use the brand but does not yet have strong legal rights to act against infringement.

What to do when others use a similar brand?

If you discover another party using a brand name or logo similar and confusing with yours — assuming you have already obtained the Trademark Registration Certificate — you can:

Send a formal demand letter to cease the infringing act;
Request administrative handling via the Inspection Department of Ministry of Science & Technology or the local Department of Science & Technology;
File a civil lawsuit in court to claim damages and public apology;
Demand cessation of infringement on digital platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Spotify…) via IP protection policies.

If the trademark has not been registered, the protection options are very limited — hence the reason why a studio should proactively register as early as possible, before publicly announcing the brand.

Special notes when registering a trademark in the music industry

A studio’s brand can include name, logo, slogan. However, if your studio cooperates to exclusively produce music for artists, you need to clearly distinguish between ownership of the studio brand and ownership of musical works.

Besides trademarks, you should also consider protecting copyright for musical works, arrangements, sound recordings — since these are high-value intellectual assets easily infringed in digital environments.

DEDICA LAW — a trusted legal companion

With a team of experienced attorneys in intellectual property and corporate law, we do not only assist clients in legal procedures but also advise long-term protection strategies toward building solid brand assets in the creative industry.

Trademark protection is not merely a necessary move to avoid legal risks but also a foundation for the sustainable development of recording studios in Vietnam. Don’t let your efforts to build a name be stolen just because of delay in registration. Be proactive in protecting your intellectual assets from today.

Are you operating a recording studio and want to register an exclusive brand?
Contact DEDICA for comprehensive and fitting protection strategy.

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