The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IPVN) has just informed that it has started directly receiving paper applications as normal from 21 September 2021 – according to Notice No. 8559/TB-SHTT dated 21 September 2021. Under its previous Notice, the IPVN stopped directly receiving paper applications from 19 July 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic – applications are to be filed online or via post services. Other documents like responses to office actions can now be filed directly as well. Besides, the IPVN communications like office actions are now delivered directly, not by post services under the previous Notice which caused delays. However, intellectual property consultant activities remain unchanged – the IPVN has performed such activities via phone or e-mail.
Previously, because of the complex condition of the Covid-19 pandemic, the IPVN had to issue notices twice to stop receiving applications directly at the Head Office in Hanoi on 27 May 2021 and 19 July 2021. So far, Hanoi has gradually relaxed social distancing measures, as a result, the primary operation of the IPVN Head Office has been resumed as informed above.
In addition to the head office in Hanoi, the two IPVN’s representative offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang city have not yet resumed normal operations.
By Nguyen Huyen Trang
Patent Department – INVESTIP IP LAW FIRM
