What Are Obligations of Using Patent and Trademark?

When applicants of invention or mark are granted patent or trademark certificate, they are obliged to use these subjects. The reason for this provision which is, the owner may not use patents or trademarks in practical causing difficulties for the person who would like to use the patent and trademark in reality but cannot register as others has already registered.

 

Register utility solution in Vietnam

According to Article 136 Vietnam Law on intellectual property clearly regulated on obligations of owner in using patent and trademark.

Firstly, to patent, the owner is be obliged to manufacture protected products or apply protected processes to satisfy the requirements of national defence and security, disease prevention, and treatment and nutrition of the people or to meet other social urgent needs. When the needs stipulated in this clause arise but an invention owner fails to perform such obligation, the competent State body may license such invention to others without permission from the invention owner in accordance with the law.

Secondly, to trademark, trademark holder is obliged to use trademark continuously. Trademark used under a trademark use agreement by a transferee is also considered as an act of using the holder’s trademark. In case the trademark is not used continuously for five years or more, the Trademark Certificate of Registration shall be invalid.

Specifically, if the trademark holder or the person who is allowed to use the trademark do not use the trademark within continuous five years before the date of request to terminate the validity without reasonable reason, except the using starts or restarts at least 03 months up to date of having the termination of validity request.

If the client needs help with handling such complaint, our IP attorney in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers will be of help.

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How is patent prosecution distinct from patent litigation?

Patent prosecution and patent litigation are totally different from each other.

Patent prosecution refers to the process of interacting with the patent office to have claims allowed and the patent issued.

Litigation refers to “court-related proceedings, ” typically AFTER a patent is issued (say, suing someone for infringement, etc.)

Vietnam Patent

Patent prosecution happens when you (as an inventor), your patent attorney, and the examiner at a patent office are engaged in the process of getting a patent granted on your intellectual property.

Main steps that are part of the patent prosecution process include:

a) Preparation and filing of a patent application with or without the help of a patent attorney.

b) A patent office examiner responding to your filings and taking an office action which may include legal arguments and reasons for rejecting or accepting your claims and arguments.

c) You or your patent attorney responding to an office action using sound legal arguments and providing supporting facts in your favor.

d) Patent office granting you a patent if everything goes well, and, thereby, granting you rights as an inventor and giving your a monopoly on the use of your patent’s methods for a fixed number of years.

Patent litigation is a totally different beast. It happens only when you discover that somebody (generally a corporation) is infringing upon your patent’s rights and you take some concrete actions in order to stop infringement.

Inventors are granted a monopoly power by the patent office on their intellectual property in a known jurisdiction (e.g., US). Inventors are free to negotiate and charge any licensing fees from others who want to use their intellectual property.

If somebody is using your invention without having any licensing rights from you to use your invention, they are infringing upon your patent. Patent litigation is a highly technical process because you (as an inventor) have to create detailed claim charts (Claim Chart: Everything You Need to Know) to prove infringement. It is a lengthy legal process that is also highly expensive.

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