Ministry of Industry and Trade initiates the Investigation of Imposing Anti-dumping Measure to some H shaped steel products (AD12)

On August 24^th 2020, Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade signed the Decision No. 2251/QD-BCT regarding the Investigation of imposing Anti-dumping measure to some H shapedsteel products from Malaysia. Related parties may by themselves or authorize to experienced law firm in Vietnam on international trade to work with Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) to cooperate.

Background

On November 06, 2020, Trade Remedies of authority of Vietnam (TRAV), Ministry of Industry and Trade received the dossiers on requesting the anti-dumping measure to some H shaped steel products from Malaysia. The requester is Posco Yamato Vina Steel Joint stock Company – the sole company which produced H shaped steel in Vietnam.

The requester provided the reasonable bases for calculation of dumping margin originated from Malaysia. The requester provided the reasonable information to prove the significant damage of domestic industry. The requester’s dossier proved the existence of causal relationship between imported products and the significant damage of domestic industry.

Hence, TRAV determined dossier of the requester satisfied the law of anti-dumping and petition of Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Investigation’s details

i) Products under investigation

Product’s name: H shaped steel

The H shaped steel product with the following HS code: 7216.33.11, 7216.33.19, 7216.33.90, 7228.70.10 and 7228.70.90

The products which are excluded from investigation scope includes:

The H shaped steel with the height more than 700 mm (± 4mm) or the width more than 300 mm (± 3mm);

H steel beam with the size of 100mm x 55mm or 120mm x 64mm (the description size is height x width).

The Ministry of Industry and Trade may amend and supplement the list of HS codes of the product under investigation to be in accordance with the description of the product under investigation and other changes (if any).

ii) Originated of products under investigation: Malaysia

iii) Period of investigation (POI)

-Period of investigation to determine the anti-dumping action: from April 1^st 2019 to March 31^st 2020

-Period of investigation to determine the damage of domestic industry:

The first year: from April 1^st 2017 to March 31^st 2018

The second year: from April 1^st 2018 to March 31^st 2019

The third year: from April 1st 2019 to March 31st 2020

iv) Duty Levels Proposed by Requester:

The anti-dumping duty which is requested by the requester is 10,2%.

Register as related parties:

Pursuant to Article 6 of Circular No. 37/2019/TT-BCT, organizations and individuals stipulated in Article 74 of Law on foreign trade management may register as related parties in this case with TRAV in order to access to publicly circulated information during the investigation process, send comments, information and evidence related to the investigation content within sixty (60) working days from the day on which the decision on investigation takes effect via post or email.

In order to ensure rights and interests, the investigating authority recommend that organizations and individuals which produce, import or use products under investigation register as related parties to carry out the right to access information, provide information and express opinions during the investigation process.

Investigation Questionnaire:

Within 15 days after the issuance of the investigation decision of the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Investigating Authority shall send the investigation questionnaire to the Related Parties, including:

-The applicant requests for application of Anti-dumping measures;

-Other domestic manufacturers which Investigating Authority knows;

-Parties requesting for application investigation of anti-dumping measures which Investigating Authority knows;

-Importers of products under investigation;

-Diplomatic authorities of the country where the origin of products under investigation;

-Other related

Cooperating in the investigation process

Any related party refuses to participate in the case or does not provide necessary evidences or significantly ​obstructs the completion of the investigation, the investigation conclusion regarding such relevant party shall be based on available information.

Any related party provides false or misleading evidences, such evidences shall not be reviewed and investigation conclusion regarding such relevant party shall be based on available information.

TRAV recommends that related party participate and cooperate fully in the process in order to ensure legitimate rights and interests and avoid potential disputes.

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How Licensing of Trademark Works?

Licensing of industrial property subject in general or of trademark in specific is regulated in Intellectual Property law.  Accordingly, in trademark licensing, the owner (licensor) grants permission to another (licensee) to use that trademark on mutually agreed terms and conditions. The licensing of trademark must be established in written form to avoid dispute in trademark licensing.

Accordingly, licensing of trademark includes the following types: exclusive contract, non-exclusive contract; sub-license contract.

Firstly, exclusive contract means a contract under which, within the licensing scope and term, the licensee shall have the exclusive right to use the licensed trademark while the licensor may neither enter into any trademark license contract with any third party nor, without permission from the licensee, use such trademark.

Secondly, non-exclusive contract means a contract under which, within the licensing scope and term, the licensor shall still have the right to use the trademark and to enter into a non-exclusive trademark license contract with others.

Thirdly, trademark sub-license contract means a contract under which the licensor is a licensee of the right to use such trademark pursuant to another contract.

In any type of the contracts, it is required to have the following contents: full names and addresses of the licensor and of the licensee; grounds for licensing; contract type; licensing scope including limitations on use right and territorial limitations; contract term; licensing price; rights and obligations of the licensor and of the licensee.

Besides the above contents, the parties also need to take note on the validity of this contract. Different from assignment contract of trademark when it is required to register at National office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam to take effect, the licensing contract of trademark does not required this kind of registration for taking effect. Licensing contract shall automatically be terminated upon the termination of the licensor's trademark right.

If Client needs any more information or request for legal advice regarding licensing of trademark or dispute in trademark licensing contract, our Intellectual Propertyattorney in Vietnam at ANT Lawyers will be of help.

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TRAV Receiving Review Application of Products of Chinese and Korean origins (case No. AD04)

TRAV Receiving Review Application of Anti-Dumping Measures for flat-rolledalloy/non-alloy steel products, varnish painted or scanned or coated with plastics or other covers from China and Korea (AD04).

On August 20^th, 2020, Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) – Ministry of Industry and Trade notified on receiving the dossier for reviewing flat-rolled alloy/non-alloy steel products, varnish painted or scanned or coated with plastics or other covers from China and Korea imported into Vietnam.

Specifically, on November 24^th 2019, Minister of Industry and Trade issued the Decision 3198/QĐ-BCT on imposing the official decision to some of the flat-rolled alloy/non-alloy steel products, varnish painted or scanned or coated with plastics or other covers from China and Korea.

According to Article 82.1.a Law on foreign management 2017: “After 1 year from the day on which the decision on imposition of anti-dumping measures is issued, the Minister of Industry and Trade may decide to review anti-dumping measures at the request of one or multiple interested parties and evidence provided by them.”

Regarding the right to submit request dossiers regulated in Article 58.1 Decree 10/2018/NĐ-CP: “Within 60 days before the end of one year from the date of issuance of the decision on the imposition of official anti-dumping measures and countervailing measures or the latest decision on the results of the review of anti-dumping measures, countervailing measures, the concerned parties as prescribed in Article 59 hereof may submit the dossiers for review, except for cases where the submission deadline is less than 09 months before the time limit for the Minister of Industry and Trade to decide whether to carry out the final review of anti-dumping or countervailing measures”.

Accordingly, the scope of review request of the interested parties regulated in Article 74  includes but not limited to the following contents:

-The product scope subject to anti-dumping measures;

-The anti-dumping margin imposing to some specific foreign enterprises;

-The damage of domestic industry.

After finishing the reviewing period, based on the investigating result, TRAV will propose Minister of Industry and Trade one of the following options:

-Continue to impose the anti-dumping measure in accordance with the current law; and/or

-Adjust the anti-dumping measure in accordance with the reviewing result; or

-Bring the anti-dumping measure to an end.

The performing of the procedures related to the reviewing period will not affect to the effective anti-dumping measures imposed currently.

The reviewing dossiers must be filed sufficiently and timely to TRAV before 5 p.m on October 24^th 2020 (Hanoi time)

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The cases for marriage registration be rejected when marriage with foreign elements

When marriages with foreign element are rejected?

Before a foreigner and Vietnamese decide to get married, they must have known each other for some time. However,due to difference in cultures, and laws in different countries, they might fall under cases which are not allowed by Vietnam State Authority to get married.

The marriage registration of marriage with foreign elements will be rejected in the following cases:

-One or both parties fail to reach the Vietnam legal age of marriage

-The foreign applicant is not old enough to get married under the laws of the country where he/she is a citizen or permanent resident (for stateless persons)

-The marriage is not voluntarily decided by both parties

-There is deception, forced marriage

-One or both parties are married

-One or both parties lose the civil act capacity

-The parties are in the direct line of descent or relatives within three generations

-The parties are or have been father, mother and child, father-in-law and daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and son-in-law, stepfather and his wife’s children, stepmother and her husband’s children

-The parties of the same sex (men marrying men and women marrying women)

-The marriage registration is also be rejected, if the results of the interview, examination, verification show that the marriage through illegal brokers, sham marriage does not aim to build a prosperous, equality, progress, happiness and sustainability family, married inconsistent with the habits and customs of culture, taking advantage of the marriage to trafficking in women and sexual abuse against women or for other personal benefits.

ANT Lawyers provide services for marriage and family, please contact us for advices at email: ant@antlawyers.vn or call us at +84 28 730 86 529.

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Legal matters concerning marriages and divorce in Vietnam

Vietnam family laws covers all legal matters concerning marriages and divorces, including marriage registration procedures, and divorce procedures, matters concerning separate or joint ownership assets and property, child custody, child support, and dispute on related matters.

Marriage and Family Lawyers in Vietnam

Vietnam marriage laws have developed during the past 40 years and are still connected with changes in the thinking of the Vietnamese society and are thereby not exempt from future amendments that might appear simultaneously with the changes in Vietnam’s fast emerging society. The legal fundamental basis for marriages in Vietnam is the Marriage and Family Law.  Some of the main points that are included in this law’s mission are for contributing to build and protect the marriage and family regime as well as to protect legitimate rights and interests of family members. The essential legal provisions of the Vietnam marriage law requires and determines: a required marital age for male is at least 20 years and female 18 years; marriages must be voluntary, progressive, monogamous marriages in which husband and wife are equal; marriages between partners of different nationalities, religions etc. are respected and legally protected but marriages between married people, people without civil act capacity, between the same direct blood line or within three generations, between (former) adoptive parents and children or parents- and children-in-law and stepparents and stepchildren, are forbidden. Although the marriage between persons of the same sex is not forbidden any more but the State shall not recognize it.

Furthermore, marriage or remarriages must be registered with the competent State bodies (registration offices) where either of the marriage partners resides. Vietnamese citizens living abroad shall refer to overseas Vietnamese diplomatic missions or consulates for services.  Unless otherwise provided by law, the provisions of the Marriage and Family law also are also applicable for foreigners involved in Vietnamese marriages.  In case a treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party contains provisions different from those of this Law, the provisions of such treaty prevail.

The registration procedures might differ in some points for foreigners because of the documents required from their home countries.  Papers issued, granted or certified by competent foreign agencies for use in the settlement of cases and matters of marriage and family shall be notarized, legalized, except cases eligible for exemption from consular legalization under treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party or on the principle of reciprocity. Foreigners must demonstrate that they are eligible for marriage in compliance with the law of their home countries. According to the Vietnam Marriage and Family law, foreigners enjoy the same rights and obligations like Vietnamese and Vietnam provides protection for the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese living abroad in marriage and family relations in accordance with the law.  In the case of a marriage between a foreigner and a Vietnamese, each one must abide by the legislation of his/her country on the marriage conditions. The law also bans marriages whereby foreigners take advantages related to human trafficking, sexually abuse against women.

The law on marriage and family has brought a positive change to the role of the family in Vietnamese society and the traditional values ​​of marriage and family. These legal provisions have contributed to the protection and perfection of a progressive marriage and family regime by creating legal standards that keep pace with the times but also respect long-standing traditional values ​​of Vietnam. However, Vietnam still lacks complex mechanisms to deal with all those involved and another problem is that some clauses are overlapping and are not clear enough to address outstanding issues such as: cohabitation system such as husband and wife, separated or surrogacy. Prenuptial agreements, premarital agreements or similar marriage contracts are not recognized in Vietnam. However, agreements on joint assets, or division of assets during marriage are recognized but certain procedures have to be followed.

Lawyers at ANT Lawyers have experience with registration of marriage, divorce procedures or dispute matters of assets, properties in Vietnam.

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New procedure in marriage with foreign element

From February 17th 2014, the marriage between Vietnamese and foreigner belonging to one of following cases must be consulted, supported by the Center of Consulting, supporting marriage and family with foreign element:

Marriage dispute law firm in Vietnam

-A spouse is 20 years older than the other.

-The foreigners get married the third time or have married and divorced with the Vietnamese ex-spouses in the past.

-Either spouses have not yet understood the family situation, personal situation of each other; don’t understand the language, customs, habits, culture, laws on marriage and family of the other country.

-In above cases, the Department of Justice at provincial level must organize interview(s) before issuing the Clarification of marriage status for Vietnamese party.

-Besides, after 90 days from the date issuing marriage certificate, if the parties do not conduct marriage registration ceremony, the Marriage Certificate will become invalid.

ANT Lawyers have experience in civil and family matters to advice clients whom are interested for such legal service in Vietnam. We assist our clients in the process of reviewing agreements, procedures and concerned matters in civil and family.

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What is the Requirements of Franchising in Vietnam?

Commercial franchising is an activity adjusted by Commercial law, whereby franchisors permit and require franchisees to undertake by themselves to purchase or sell goods or provide services on the following conditions: i) the purchase or sale of goods or provision of services shall be conducted in accordance with methods of business organization prescribed by franchisors and associated with the franchisors’ trademarks, trade names, business knows-how, business slogans, business logos and advertisements; ii) franchisors shall be entitled to supervise and assist franchisees in conducting their business activities.

Commercial franchise contracts must be made in writing or in other forms of equivalent legal validity and registered with Ministry of Industry and Trade excepting some regulated cases which are not required to register but report to Department of Industry and Trade which are domestic franchises and the franchises from Vietnam to overseas.

Firstly, the franchisors, except having otherwise agreed, have the rights i) to receive franchise sums; ii) to organize advertising for the commercial franchise system and the commercial franchise network; iii) to conduct periodical or extraordinary inspections of activities of franchisees in order to ensure the uniformity of the commercial franchise system and the stability of quality of goods and services.

In the meantime, the franchisors have the obligations i) to supply documents guiding the commercial franchise system to franchisees; ii) to provide initial training and regular technical assistance to franchisees for managing the latter’s activities in accordance with the commercial franchise system; iii) to design and arrange places of sale of goods or provision of services at the expenses of franchisees; iv) to guarantee the intellectual property rights over objects stated in franchise contracts; v) to equally treat all franchisees in the commercial franchise system.

For the franchisees, except having otherwise agreed, the franchisees could i) request franchisors to provide with full technical assistance related to the commercial franchise system; ii)  request franchisors to equally treat all franchisees in the commercial franchise system.

The franchisees have the obligations to i) pay franchise sums and other amounts under commercial franchise contracts; ii) to invest adequate material facilities, financial sources and human resources to take over business rights and know-how transferred by franchisors; iii) to submit to the control, supervision and instruction by franchisors; to comply with all requirements set forth by franchisors on designing and arrangement of places of sale of goods or provision of services; iv) to keep secret the franchised business know-how even after the expiration or termination of commercial franchise contracts; v) to stop using trademarks, trade names, business slogans, logos and other intellectual property rights (if any) or systems of franchisors upon the expiration or termination of commercial franchise contracts; vi) to manage their activities in accordance with the commercial franchise system; vii) not to sub-franchise without permissions of franchisors.

Besides the above rights and obligations, the parties may supplement others provisions demed necessary but not contrary to the provisions of law.

If Client needs more information or request for legal advice regarding commercial franchise in Vietnam, please contact with ANT Lawyers to be assisted.

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Transfer of Investment Projects in Vietnam

Under the current Law on Investment, investors are entitled to transfer part or all of the project to another investor when satisfied the specific conditions and conducting to procedure of project adjustment under the regulation of law.

Issuing Investment Certificate for Foreign Investors in Vietnam

The conditions of project transfer

-The project is not terminated in the cases as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 48 of Law on investment;

-Investment conditions applied to foreign investors are satisfied in case the foreign investor receives a project of investment in conditional business lines;

-Regulations of law on law, real estate trading is complied with if the project transfer is associated with transfer of land;

-Conditions in the Certificate of investment registration or relevant regulations of law are complied with.

Preparation of dossier

-A written request for permission for project adjustments;

-A report on the project’s progress up to the time of transfer;

-The project transfer contractor another document with equivalent legal value;

-Copies of the ID card or passport (if the investor is an individual) or Certificate of Enterprise Registration or another document with equivalent legal value (if the investor is an organization);

-Copies of the Investment Registration Certificate or decision on investment guidelines (if any);

-Copies of the BCC contract (for BCC projects);

-Copies of one of the following documents of the transferee: financial statements of the last 02 years; commitment to provide financial support by the parent company, commitment to provide financial support by a financial institution, the guarantee of transferee’s financial capacity, documents describing the transferee’s financial capacity;

Order and procedure

-Investors submit the dossier at Department of Planning and Investment (or Management of Economic Zone or High-tech Zone);

-Within a period of 10 working days from the date of receipt the complete and valid dossier for an investment project operating under an investment license and not subject to decision of investment policy (or 28 working days from the date of receipt the complete and valid dossier for an investment project which is subject to investment decision of the provincial People’s Committee; 47 working days from the date of receipt the complete and valid dossier for the investment project subject to the decision of the Prime Minister), the competent authorities consider and decide to adjust the investment registration certificate to the investor transferring the project.

Before transferring an investment project, investors need to evaluate the legal situation, apart from the financial, personnel, and other key issues of the project, which are subject of the transfer. Therefore, to ensure effective transfer, investors often engage law firms with highly qualified lawyers in Vietnam to conduct M&A legal due diligence related to the legal documentation of the owner, capital contribution of the shareholder or member, tangible assets (land use rights, plant and machinery, equipment, etc.) and invisible assets (including industrial property rights), licenses, contracts or transactions of great value, taxes and other legal risks such as litigation or disputes which could significantly impact the project..

The transfer of an investment project is an administrative procedure with a state agencies that is only smooth when the parties reached agreements. In fact, the transfer of the investment project’s timeline depends on the appraisal and evaluation process of the parties involved in the project.

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What is intellectual property? Why should it be protected?

What is IPR?

Property created with the use of intellect and out of the intellectual labour of the creator\inventor. The idea and expression of such idea is his own original work and out of his ‘skill and labour.’ Although idea per is cannot be protected.

Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in Vietnam

What is the nature of IP and why it is a ‘property’?

The intellectual property is intangible i.e., it has a physical embodiment or an expression of the creation but not necessarily. It differs from movable and tangible properties like one’s land or house. The intangible properties are incorporeal in nature. Some examples of IP include book, poem, working model/invention, plant varieties from an area etc.

It is called a property for the very reason that it has a ‘commercial value’ and industrial utility to it. A property can be sold, altered and enjoyed possession by the owner and the same applies to one’s IP. Such rights are not fundamental but statutory. But the legal implications governing the controlling of IP protection gives that exclusive right to enjoy the same for each IP right for a limited period.

Why one needs IP protection?

The purpose behind the statutes governing the IPR field, have only one objective of protecting the original work of the creator for a limited time to respect his skill and creativity in spending time to create or invent something. It is to regard his right to have ownership over such property. But reasonable limitations include a fixed time to have ownership and also to prevent monopoly.

Often, pharma companies charge higher prices on patented drugs cutting access to medicine for the public, thus, exceptions like compulsory licensing and fair use are existing as limitations. ‘Public purpose’ is a ground to determine the extent of exercising the exclusive rights. It is in a way, an industrial property, making it useful for country’s economy and commerce.

Types and classification of IP rights

-Patent: granted to inventions by the inventor. The conditions are that it has to have novelty, industrial utility and different from existing models and not just a mere re-arrangement. The patentable inventions can be either a process or product patent, which is usually granted for a term of 20 years (changes according to different countries). It creates a certain monopoly over the patented item.

-Copyright: right granted to expression of ideas in physical form or in other expressed terms. Artistic, dramatic, musical and written works of a creator. The registration of the same is not necessary in some countries. The work has to be original and out of his own creativity. International term of copyright period extends to 50 years after the creator’s death as well.

-Trademark: a mark, sign, form, an arrangement or combination of the colours or lines, name of a product, which makes it distinguishable from other products and to identify the brand name. It mainly helps to promote the company brand and to help the public differentiate the same from others. It is synonymously called as service marks.

-Industrial Design: The pattern, structure, that forms the product. The intricate and aesthetic features of the product that makes unique from others. It must not be deceptively similar to another design or used before applying for registration. It is different from copyright and trademark.

-Geographical indication & other rights: A plant variety or a type of food that is located in a particular geographical locality or a part of country, be under geographical indication. It helps to identify the origin of such product or type of product to the people. Other IP rights include trade secrets and undisclosed information.

-Trade secrets, Non-disclosure and license agreements are also part of IP protection.

Author: Swathi Gunasekaran

Source: Quora

If you are looking for an experienced IP attorneys in Vietnam to help you with your patent application, you should visit ANT Lawyers.vn. We are supported by a team of experienced patent, trademark, design attorneys with qualification and skills handling full range of legal services relating to intellectual property in Vietnam.  We have specialized in the preparation and registration of patents, trademarks and designs for our clients.

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