A Comprehensive Guide to Copyright Registration in Vietnam
Registration of Literary Copyright in Vietnam
In the global market, seeking copyright protection for your works and software has become an essential step for both businesses and individuals. Here are the detailed requirements for registering literary works and computer software copyrights in Vietnam, designed to help you navigate the registration process smoothly.
Documents Required：
| Language: Vietnamese | ||
| No. | Document | Note |
| 1 | Vietnamese copyright registration application (2 copies) | |
| 2 | Power of attorney (2 copies) | If the applicant is an individual, the power of attorney must be notarized by a notary office, and a Vietnamese national applicant must appear in person for notarization. |
| 3 | Statement of copyright ownership (2 copies) | Explanation of the relationship between author and copyright owner: employee/legal representative/trustee, etc. |
| 4 | Notarized copy of the author’s passport (1 copy) | If the author is not a Vietnamese national, the passport must be notarized by a notary office. |
| 5 | Notarized copy of the applicant’s business registration certificate (1 copy) | If the applicant is a company, the business registration certificate must be notarized by a notary office. |
| 6 | Translator’s declaration | If the author is not a Vietnamese national, the translation must be notarized by a notary office. |
| 7 | Samples of the work (2 electronic copies and 2 hard copies) | Provided by the client. |
| 8 | Author’s declaration of honesty regarding the creation of the work | |
| 9 | Consent letter | For works containing human portraits, a “power of attorney” or “consent letter” signed by the depicted individuals must be submitted. This letter must explicitly state that the individuals consent to the use of their image in the work. |
| 10 | License for non-original parts | If the work includes non-original parts, authorization or licensing documentation must be provided. If such permission cannot be provided, the non-original parts must be removed. |
Note:
- All submitted documents must be translated into Vietnamese.
- Notarization in Vietnam must be completed by the client at a notary office, including the power of attorney, passport, and business registration certificate copies.
Information Required:
- Name, address, and nationality of the copyright owner (address must include house number).
- Name, address, and nationality of the author (address must include house number).
- Date of creation and completion of the work, and date and place of first publication (if any).
Registration of Computer Software in Vietnam
| No | Document | Notes |
| 1 | Vietnamese copyright registration application (2 copies) | |
| 2 | Power of attorney (2 copies) | |
| 3 | Statement of copyright ownership (2 copies) | Explanation of the relationship between author and copyright owner: employee/legal representative/trustee, etc. |
| 4 | Notarized copy of the author’s passport (1 copy) | Must be notarized by a notary office. |
| 5 | Notarized copy of the applicant’s business registration certificate (1 copy) | Must be notarized by a notary office. |
| 6 | Source code (2 electronic copies and 2 hard copies) | If the printed computer program code reaches or exceeds 100 pages, the first 25, middle 25, and last 25 pages may be submitted. |
| 7 | User manual (2 electronic copies and 2 hard copies) | Must include images of the software interface. |
| 8 | CD or DVD (2 copies) | Must contain the full copyrighted content of the software. The disc label must bear a white sticker indicating the program name. |
Note:
- All submitted documents must be translated into Vietnamese.
- We are responsible for translating the source code and user manual into English.
- Clients may complete the notarization of passport and business registration certificate copies in Vietnam.
Types of Works Eligible for Copyright Registration in Vietnam
- Literary, scientific works, textbooks, and other written works.
- Lectures, speeches, and other verbal works.
- Journalistic, musical, and dramatic works.
- Cinematographic works and works created by similar methods.
- Fine art and applied art works.
- Photographic and architectural works.
- Sketches, diagrams, maps, and drawings related to geography or scientific works.
- Folklore and folk art works.
- Computer software copyrights.
Duration of Copyright Protection
| No | Type of Work | Duration of Protection |
| 1 | Cinematographic works, photographic works, applied art works, anonymous works | 75 years from first publication, or 100 years from fixation if unpublished within 25 years after fixation (excluding anonymous works). |
| 2 | Works not covered by above | Author’s lifetime plus 50 years after death. |
| 3 | Joint works | Lifetime of all co-authors and 50 years after the death of the last surviving co-author. |
Other Notes:
Are photographic works charged based on the number of photos?
- The Vietnam Copyright Office charges per copyright application, not per number of images in one application.
Series Works:
- Multiple images in the same series can be registered under one application.
- Larger collections (e.g., a website and its artworks, a music album with lyrics and MIDI files, a full collection of poems) can be registered together under one title as a single project.
- However, if the works belong to different authors, organizations, or collaborative projects, they must be registered separately.