How trademark registration benefits businesses in Vietnam when building a brand
During brand building, many businesses invest heavily in logo design, brand identity, marketing... but forget one of the core elements to protect all those efforts — trademark registration. This is like constructing a beautiful house without laying a foundation; just one legal gust and it could collapse entirely.
In an increasingly competitive market, trademark protection is not just an option—it’s a requirement if businesses want to survive and grow sustainably. An unregistered trademark has no legal value. When disputes arise, or there’s infringement or brand hijacking, businesses have almost nothing to protect themselves.
So what is trademark registration, why must it be done early, and how can it be carried out effectively? Let’s explore in the sections below.
What is trademark registration and what value does it bring to businesses?
Trademarks are the most important intellectual property asset in a business’s identification and competitive strategy. It could be a brand name, logo, slogan, or any mark that helps consumers recognize your product/service among a sea of competitors.
Protecting the brand in the market
Once granted protection, the trademark becomes an asset protected by law. This means the business has the right to prevent others from using similar brand names or logos that cause confusion or harm its reputation and interests. Owning a registered trademark also boosts confidence in marketing campaigns, partnerships, fundraising, and market expansion.
Increasing business asset value
In many M&A deals or investment rounds, trademarks are valued concretely and can bring in millions of USD if properly built and protected. A strong brand that’s legally protected becomes a strategic weapon that adds intangible asset value.
Avoiding legal risks and brand disputes
Numerous companies have ended up “losing their name” or “having to rebrand” after years in operation simply because they didn’t register the trademark early. This causes huge damages, not only financially but also reputationally. In a dispute, an unregistered trademark has almost no chance to be legally recognized as a legitimate right holder.
How to register a trademark correctly and effectively?
Trademark registration is not just an administrative task—it requires a clear strategy and legal understanding to avoid rejection or wasted time and money.
Choose a trademark with high registrability
Not all marks are registrable. Businesses should avoid descriptive, generic terms, or those likely to be confused with existing registered trademarks. Before filing, conduct a registrability search and consult an intellectual property specialist to adjust designs if necessary.
Prepare documentation and a comprehensive protection strategy
A trademark application includes the trademark specimen, list of goods/services, applicant information... But more importantly, define the scope of protection aligned with your business strategy. You can register for specific product groups or expand protection to export target countries. Additionally, protect both the trademark and copyright of the logo to maximize legal coverage.
Monitor and maintain protection validity
Once granted, a trademark is valid for 10 years and renewable continuously. However, if not used for 5 consecutive years, the protection may be canceled. Businesses should track key deadlines, use the trademark consistently and publicly, and monitor the market to promptly detect and handle infringements.
What to do if your trademark is infringing?
If you detect unauthorized use of your registered trademark, a business can take the following steps:
Send a warning letter requesting cessation of the violation.
File a complaint with the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science & Technology or local provincial Science & Technology Department.
Initiate a civil lawsuit seeking damages and an injunction in court.
DEDICA encourages businesses to prepare documentation and evidence carefully and act promptly. Delay could cause widespread and uncontrollable losses.
A brand is a business’s most important asset, and protecting that asset must start with trademark registration. In today’s fiercely competitive commercial era, failing to register a trademark is a risk that cannot be taken.
If your business is building a brand, developing new products, or preparing to expand markets, your first step should be to register your trademark. This is not just a legal formality but a strategic move to lay a solid foundation for a sustainable brand.
DEDICA – Partnering with businesses to protect intellectual property and grow sustainably
With years of experience in intellectual property consulting, trademark registration, and protection, DEDICA’s legal team has helped hundreds of businesses build a “legal armor” for their brands. We don’t just handle registration; we advise comprehensive strategies to optimize long-term brand value.
Contact DEDICA Law Firm for expert legal advice!
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Support via WhatsApp, WeChat, Zalo)
🏢 Head Office: 144 Võ Văn Tần St, Võ Thị Sáu Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
🕒 Working Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30–18:00
Reach out now for a free initial consultation from our professional legal team!
