14 July 2022: Minutes of the first UK-Viet Nam Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights, including Geographical Indications
Published 18 November 2022
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UK hosted virtually, 14 July 2022
The first meeting of the United Kingdom-Viet Nam Working Group on Intellectual Property, including Geographical Indications took place on 14 July 2022 via video conference.
1. Greetings and opening remarks
The United Kingdom (UK) welcomed Viet Nam and UK colleagues, setting out the UK’s ambitions for the working group and bilateral relationship going forward. Viet Nam welcomed and reiterated the UK’s comments, noting that the UK-Viet Nam FTA would open up more opportunities for the 2 countries.
2. Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was adopted.
3. Adoption of the Rules of Procedure (RoP)
The UK-Viet Nam Trade Committee RoP were adopted mutatis mutandis for the purpose of this meeting and future meetings.
4. General IP section
4.1 Update from the UK
The UK provided an update on changes to its IP regime since signature, including recent consultations on exhaustion of IP rights, call for views and legislative changes.
4.2 Update from Viet Nam
Viet Nam provided an update on the changes to its IP law that were agreed by the National Assembly in June 2022, including changes to the law on copyright, patents, trademarks, and geographical indications as well as changes to strengthen border and on-the-market enforcement of IP rights.
5. Geographical Indications (GI) update
5.1 Update from the UK
The UK presented on its GI schemes, which were launched on 1 January 2021, and answered questions on the scheme from Viet Nam.
5.2 Update from Viet Nam
Viet Nam presented on its GI scheme and answered questions on the scheme from the UK.
5.3 Reviewing of GI lists
The UK proposed the amendment of Annex 12-A to add further GIs to the UK-Viet Nam FTA. Vietnam said it encouraged the UK to seek further GI protection through national registration procedures rather than through FTA amendment procedure. Vietnam will report the UK’s proposals to competent authorities. The UK and Viet Nam agreed to exchange further information on the procedure for agreeing mandate to discuss amendment of GI Annex.
6. Next steps, operational conclusions, and joint minutes
The UK proposed next steps, including follow-up cooperation, to which Viet Nam agreed.
7. Closing remarks and AOB
The UK and Viet Nam expressed mutual gratitude for the cooperative, productive, and informative meeting, noting that they look forward to further engagements.
Annex A: operational conclusions
Operational conclusions (OCs) of the first Meeting of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights, including GIs between the United Kingdom and Viet Nam
14 July 2022, conducted online
Working group general actions
| Agenda item | OC number | Party | Action | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1 | UK | UK to share draft minutes with Viet Nam for review and agreement | 12 August 2022 [RoP deadline] |
| Slides | 2 | UK and Viet Nam | UK and Viet Nam to review and where possible exchange slides presented in the meeting | 1 August 2022 |
Geographical indication actions
| Agenda item | OC number | Party | Action | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Law on GIs | 3 | UK | UK to provide links to UK laws on Geographical Indications | 1 August 2022 |
| Enforcement of GIs in Viet Nam | 4 | Viet Nam | Viet Nam to provide UK with contacts for competent authorities for GI enforcement | 1 August 2022 |
| Addition of GIs to Annex 12 | 5 | Viet Nam and UK | Viet Nam and UK to exchange further information on the procedure for agreeing mandate to discuss amendment of GI Annex | 30 September 2022 |
| Addition of GIs to Annex 12 | 6 | UK | UK to share GI details for information | 30 September 2022 |