The market watch of Ninh Thuận Province checking products suspected of having unclear origin. Priority would be given to to preventing and fighting counterfeit products and products with unclear origins this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Thử

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam needs to increase punishments to deter counterfeiting and infringement of intellectual property rights.

Trần Hữu Linh, director of the Việt Nam Directorate of Market Surveillance, said that counterfeiting and infringement of intellectual property rights were now rampant in a number of provinces and cities.

“Prevention of counterfeiting is a pressing issue,” Linh said at a meeting between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Science and Technology on Tuesday to enhance cooperation in the fight against trade fraud.

Linh said current punishments were not strong enough. For example, a fine of just VNĐ200 million (US$8,800) for intellectual property violations was too low. “It is necessary to have stricter punishments, and even consider applying criminal charges.”

Linh said the directorate this year would prioritise preventing and fighting counterfeit products and products with unclear origin. Goods in focus include food, supplementary food, clothing, jewellery, watches and footwear.

The Directorate of Market Surveillance wants to ensure more than 90 per cent of business households in provinces and cities where counterfeiting was rampant would not sell fake goods and products of unclear origin by the end of 2020. The market watch would implement inspections in 20 provinces and cities in 2020.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngọc Anh said that the ministry would proactively work with relevant agencies to enhance market management. He said the ministry was willing to provide training about intellectual property to officials of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In addition, Ngọc Anh said that it was important to improve awareness of both consumers and firms about intellectual property rights and product origin.

Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh said that a detailed action plan would be developed to promote cooperation between the two ministries in fighting against counterfeit goods and infringement of intellectual property rights. — VNS