(VEN) – Government authorities have achieved remarkable results in preventing counterfeit goods. However, with sophisticated measures, counterfeit goods have continuously harmed consumers and businesses. Therefore, authorities agreed to implement drastic measures and practical programs to control counterfeit goods in the market.
Preventing counterfeit goods is a top priority
Sophisticated counterfeit goods
The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Market Surveillance Agency General Director Truong Quang Hoai Nam said that counterfeit goods remained a complex problem. Counterfeit goods appear in everywhere and have a variety of designs. An alarming increase in the number of counterfeit goods has harmed consumers and businesses. The country detected and dealt with 961 and 11,284 cases in 1996 and 2012 respectively. However, in the first 11 months of this year, the country detected and prosecuted 11,247 cases.
Consumers and businesses have also contributed to creating favorable conditions for the strong development of counterfeit goods. Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Department Director Phan Hoan Kiem said that counterfeit goods strongly develop in the beginning and last month of each year. The production of counterfeit goods has become sophisticated. In particular, some facilities have produced counterfeit goods on an industrial scale.
Minh Hoa Investment Joint Stock Company Chief Executive Officer Truong Quoc Cu said that counterfeit valves from popular international brands have appeared. These items have a low in quality, and have a negative effect on the company’s businesses and production activities. In particular, many businesses and management agencies have expressed their concerns about counterfeit goods.
Cleaning up business and production activities
To prevent counterfeit goods, in addition to efforts by the authorities, businesses should actively protect their brand by improving product quality, diversifying designs, strictly managing technology processes and raising staff awareness. In particular, registering intellectual property right, industrial designs and trademarks for products is needed.
The Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA) cooperated with the Association of Vietnam Retailers (AVR) to launch the 3K certification program in order to deal with counterfeit goods, commercial frauds and violations on intellectual property right. The program is intended for consumers and businesses. The main purpose of the program is to say no to counterfeit goods, goods which lack a point of origin and violate intellectual property right. The program helps consumers identify products and businesses enhance their reputation and position in the market.
Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations Deputy Chairman Truong Duc Ngai said that 3K is a practical program, contributing to implementing intellectual property law and law on protecting consumer rights. In terms of businesses, the implementation of the 3K certification program helps enhance the competitiveness of businesses, especially in the context of international economic integration.
VIPA Deputy Chairman Nghiem Quoc Bao recounted the story of a business in the garment and textile sector that two years ago faced an urgent problem because of intellectual property rights. This business registered a trademark. However, when this business opened another shop, another business opened a shop with the same name next to them. This subject took down their name-plate and logo when the authorities came to check. Therefore, with the 3K certification program, businesses can protect their own interests. The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Market Surveillance Agency Deputy General Director Tran Hung said that the 3K certification program would help the authorities accomplish their tasks in preventing counterfeit goods and commercial frauds.
AVR Chairman Dinh Thi My Loan said that the 3K certification program could be seen as support for the Buy Vietnamese Goods campaign. To consume Vietnamese goods, businesses must gain consumer trust. Businesses must voluntary implement the program for it to be a success, contributing to ensuring sustainable development of businesses.
Certificates will be granted before the Lunar New Year in 2014. The VIPA will make a decision, sign and stamp on the 3K certificates./.
By Lan Anh & Tien Dung
Đăng ký: VietNam News