How to Register a Trademark for Vietnamese Businesses in Foreign Markets?
In the journey of expanding into international markets, trademark protection is one of the key factors that Vietnamese businesses need to pay special attention to. A strong brand is not only a competitive advantage but also a valuable intellectual property asset that helps companies affirm their position and avoid legal risks in foreign markets.
Why register a trademark when expanding abroad?
When entering the global stage, your business’s trademark is no longer just an internal matter. Registering an international trademark helps businesses to:
Be lawfully protected under local regulations;
Prevent trademark copying or misuse;
Increase brand value when seeking investment or partnerships;
Reduce the risk of intellectual property litigation;
Facilitate establishing distribution systems and expanding franchising.
In reality, many Vietnamese businesses have suffered because they neglected this step. Their trademarks were “registered first” by foreign partners, forcing them to rename or buy back their own brand at a very high cost.
Popular routes for international trademark registration
Registering a trademark for foreign markets doesn’t mean you register in all countries simultaneously. Depending on your goals and business scope, here are three common routes:
Direct registration in each country
This approach is suitable when your business wants to protect trademarks in one or two specific countries. You must hire a lawyer or IP representative in that country to submit the application, monitor progress, respond to modification requests, and handle oppositions (if any). While this means managing multiple points of contact, it suits businesses with limited budgets and a phased expansion plan.
Registration via the Madrid System
If you want to register in multiple countries at once, the Madrid System is an effective solution. Vietnam is a member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. Through this system, businesses only need to file one application with the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, select the target countries, and the application will be forwarded to each member country for examination. This method saves time and cost and makes tracking progress and updates easier. However, you must prepare the application meticulously because any mistake may affect the entire list of countries you’ve applied to.
Registration via bilateral or regional treaties
Some agreements such as ASEAN, CPTPP, and the EU‑Vietnam FTA also provide favorable conditions for cross‑border trademark registration. Each agreement has its own specifics regarding protection scope, procedures, and processing time, which require tailored advice for each case.
Important procedures and notes for international trademark registration
To ensure the possibility of being granted protection and avoid wasting time or costs, companies should carefully prepare the following steps:
Conducting a trademark search
This step is mandatory before filing. Businesses need to search for their trademark in target countries to determine if similar or identical trademarks already exist. A thorough search helps assess the risk of rejection or opposition accurately.
Preparing a valid application
Depending on the registration route, the application may include your trademark specimen, a list of goods/services, a copy of your Vietnamese trademark registration, translations, power of attorney for overseas representatives, etc. It’s best to engage a professional firm to ensure legal accuracy and formality.
Paying attention to deadlines and renewal fees
Once the certificate is granted, businesses must track its validity period (usually 10 years), renew on time, and pay maintenance fees in each country.
Handling refusals and oppositions
Not every application sails smoothly. Businesses may face refusal due to descriptiveness, lack of distinctiveness, or third‑party opposition. In such cases, building a strong legal argument and demonstrating the uniqueness of your trademark is crucial.
How DEDICA supports Vietnamese businesses in international trademark registration
With years of experience in intellectual property and international trademark registration, DEDICA has helped many Vietnamese businesses confidently reach global markets. We not only handle legal procedures, but also advise on comprehensive protection strategies—from creating distinctive trademarks, conducting in‑depth searches, evaluating registration prospects, to monitoring applications and handling post‑filing issues.
Our dedicated legal team at DEDICA possesses in‑depth knowledge of international legal systems and a network of collaborating lawyers in multiple countries. This allows us to support businesses flexibly and effectively at every stage of the international trademark protection process.
Trademark protection is not just a legal procedure but a strategic step to safeguard brand equity, avoid disputes, and assert your business position in the international arena. Let’s start today with a clear, professional, and business‑aligned trademark protection strategy.
Do you need to register your trademark internationally?
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