Identifying that intellectual property plays an important role in supporting businesses in terms of production, trading and innovation activities, the Da Nang science and technology sector has implemented many support policies, thereby helping businesses enhance competitive advantage, develop sustainably and prevent intellectual property rights violations as well.

Delegates attending the scientific conference ‘Women with Intellectual Property - Promoting innovation’ in 2023. Photo: VAN HOANG

The My Phuong Food Company Limited located in Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District is one of the enterprises whose products are officially exported to the Chinese market and many countries. In 2023, the company received support from the municipal Department of Science and Technology to register for trademark protection abroad, and the trademark registration certificate issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

According to Ms. Mai Thi Y Nhi, the Director of My Phuong Food Co., Ltd., said that during its operation, the company mostly focuses on researching and developing new products and looking for partners and markets, but pays little attention to the protection of intellectual property, leading to some difficulties when registering intellectual property later. In fact, many small and medium-sized enterprises and startups do not pay attention to this issue, while intellectual property is a powerful tool to create competitive advantage and affirm brands and help prevent the production and trading of counterfeit goods and goods that violate intellectual property rights.

“Supporting businesses and startups to register for intellectual property protection is a very effective policy, reducing difficulties and barriers related to legal procedures, promoting sustainable development in production and business activities. The city needs to have stronger publicity policies so that businesses can benefit from many existing policies.”, Ms. Nhi said.

According to the municipal Department of Science and Technology, for intellectual property development activities, in recent years, the department has implemented many support programmes, focusing on creating intellectual property, registering for protection and exploiting intellectual property.

With regard to the creation of intellectual property, in 2023, the department has implemented 68 topics and projects at all levels related to the creation of intellectual property with a total approved budget from sources of more than VND 107 billion, offered more than VND 3.66 billion worth of direct financial support for 19 businesses and startups to research and perfect products, and supported 73 businesses to innovate technology and develop intellectual property.

As for the registration of protection and exploitation of intellectual property, last year, the department organised training for more than 300 projects and businesses, most of which were startup projects and businesses to guide them how to prepare documents and register for intellectual property protection.

Implementing Resolution No. 62/2021/NQ-HDND of the Da Nang People's Council stipulating the level of support for intellectual property protection registration until 2030, the municipal Department of Science and Technology has supported the registration of intellectual property protection for 20 businesses and 18 inventors with a total budget of VND 975 million VND.

Ms. Le Thi Thuc, the Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Science and Technology, acknowledged that intellectual property plays a very important role and is the foundation for businesses in the innovative startup ecosystem. To increase competitiveness in the market and develop sustainably, businesses need to own and rely on intellectual property and technology to create new products and business models.

In particular, businesses need to be aware of the importance of establishing intellectual property rights to protect legitimate rights and interests and prevent intellectual property infringements, avoiding risks when implementing startup projects and commercialising products. Establishing intellectual property rights in the domestic and international market is an important factor to help businesses and startups improve the brand value of their products and establish reputation with partners and investors, and increase competitive opportunities.

To promote the role of intellectual property in innovative startups, the municipal Department of Science and Technology will continue to implement mechanisms and policies to support businesses, promote activities to establish intellectual property rights, support registration for protection of industrial designs, trademarks, and inventions.

Heed will also paid to improving the efficiency of management and development of intellectual property through supporting the development of intellectual property of institutes, schools and businesses; supporting the trade promotion of the city's intellectual properties and enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement and prevention of intellectual property rights infringement.

Reporting by VAN HOANG – Translating by A.THU