It is the first time the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) has sent electronic communications. The IPVN sends communications, like examination results, by post. According to Notice No. 1161/TB-SHTT issued on 12 April 2024, the IPVN will now send electronic copies of such communications in advance.
For IP cases filed through IP agents, the IP agents often go to the IPVN to receive communications promptly. The initiative under Notice No. 1161/TB-SHTT primarily targets IP cases directly filed by the applicants or the IP agents that do not receive communications directly at the IPVN. Nevertheless, if an IP agent prefers to receive electronic communications similar to the applicants, some setup steps would be necessary.
The IPVN is in the process of developing an online system with a strong function of electronic communications. While a part of the system has already been launched, the entire system has not yet been fully completed. As highlighted in Notice No. 1161/TB-SHTT, due to various reasons, applicants have not promptly received communications by post, and some postal communications have been lost. Therefore, until the online system is fully operational, the IPVN has resorted to using an alternative system to send electronic communications as mentioned above.
For further information or assistance, please reach out to us at patent@investip.vn
By Dinh Thi Thuy Trang and Nguyen Thi Le Na
Deputy Director of Patent Department
