Copyright arises automatically once a work is created and fixed in a material form. A copyright registration certificate gives the owner strong evidence if a dispute arises. 7S Law identifies the correct author, owner and type of work, prepares the application and follows it through to the certificate.

1. Who this service is for

a) Technology companies: that need to register copyright in computer programs, apps and software.

b) Companies with logos and brand identity: that want to protect applied art works alongside trademark registration.

c) Authors and content creators: who need evidence of rights in literary, musical, photographic or cinematographic works.

d) Companies commissioning creative work: that need to establish ownership of works created by employees or third parties.

2. Scope of work

a) Identifying the work and the parties: type of work, author, owner, employment or commissioning relationship.

b) Preparing the application: application form, copies of the work, declarations, power of attorney and evidence of rights.

c) Transfer documents: assignment agreements or commissioning documents where the author and the owner are different persons.

d) Filing: filing with the Copyright Office of Vietnam, monitoring and amending the application when required.

e) Receiving the certificate: receiving the copyright registration certificate and advising on its use as evidence.

The following are quoted separately when required: trademark registration for logos, licence agreements and enforcement against online copyright infringement.

See also: Trademark registration, IP infringement enforcement, Technology transfer and IP licensing.

3. Process

Step 1. Intake: 7S Law receives the work and information on the author, the owner and the creation process

Step 2. Advice and review: 7S Law identifies the type of work, the registrant and the documents required

Step 3. Preparing and signing: 7S Law prepares the application, declarations and any transfer documents for the client to sign

Step 4. Filing and monitoring: 7S Law files the application with the Copyright Office and responds to any requests for supplements

Step 5. Certificate: 7S Law receives the certificate and hands it over to the client

4. Timeline and deliverables

Under the Law on Intellectual Property, the state copyright authority issues the registration certificate within 15 working days of receiving a complete application.

Note: actual timelines may change if the authority requests supplements or amendments, if documents are provided late or incomplete, or if procedures or laws change.

Deliverables: the copyright registration certificate, the filed application and any documents establishing rights between the author and the owner.

5. Service fees

Fees are quoted separately according to the scope of each matter, based on the following factors:

Note: Service fees exclude 8% VAT, government fees, translation, certification, consular legalisation and travel expenses. The exact fee is confirmed in a fee proposal before work begins.

For a tailored fee proposal, please call +84 877 523 888 or email lienhe@7slaw.vn.

6. Information we need from you

Two copies of the work (printed, digital or source code depending on the type of work); author and owner details (ID or enterprise registration certificate); dates of completion and publication (if any); employment or commissioning contracts (if any).

7. Legal basis

This service is provided on the basis of the following legal instruments:

a) Law on Intellectual Property No. 50/2005/QH11, as amended by Laws No. 36/2009/QH12, 42/2019/QH14, 07/2022/QH15 and Law No. 131/2025/QH15 dated 10 December 2025, effective from 1 April 2026

b) Decree No. 17/2023/ND-CP dated 26 April 2023 detailing the Law on Intellectual Property on copyright and related rights, as amended by Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP dated 6 April 2026

c) Decree No. 341/2025/ND-CP dated 26 December 2025 on administrative sanctions for copyright and related rights violations, effective from 15 February 2026

8. About 7S Law

Legal services are provided by CÔNG TY LUẬT TNHH 7S (7S Law Firm), Certificate of Registration of Operation No. 01022306/TP/ĐKHĐ. 7S Law has offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, works in Vietnamese and English, and serves Vietnamese companies, foreign-invested enterprises and individuals.

9. Frequently asked questions

a) Is copyright protected without registration?

Yes. Copyright arises when a work is created and fixed in a material form, regardless of registration. A certificate means the owner does not have to prove ownership in a dispute unless there is evidence to the contrary.

b) Should a logo be registered as copyright or as a trademark?

Both. Copyright protects the logo design as an artistic work; a trademark gives the exclusive right to use the logo for goods and services in trade.

c) Who owns a work created by an employee?

A work created under an assignment or contract generally belongs to the commissioning organisation unless otherwise agreed. 7S Law reviews the contracts to identify the owner before filing.

d) How is copyright infringement handled?

Infringers may face administrative fines under Decree No. 341/2025/ND-CP, takedown orders, damages claims or, in serious cases, criminal liability.

10. Contact 7S Law

CÔNG TY LUẬT TNHH 7S (7S Law Firm)
Address: Floors 1-2, Lot E2, Mac Thai To Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City office: 18th Floor, TNR Tower, 180 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: +84 877 523 888 | Email: lienhe@7slaw.vn
Send us your request via the contact page.