When copyrights are tightened, this will be an endless resource for publishers to exploit cash flow in the digital space.
Resources of the publishing economy
In the world, the story of turning a few-dollar comic book into a huge revenue of billions of USD of Marvel Comics is still always taken as a typical example of how to make money through the ecosystem.
Marvel Comics' comic books about superheroes are originally sold for 3-4 USD, but when converted into films or toy production, Marvel Comics has made large profits for decades from derivatives. In the publishing industry, this is called the "Content Demonstration to Sell the Ecosystem" strategy.
In Vietnam, many books that were originally silent on shelves have suddenly become "best sellers" when their scripts are adapted into movies, the most typical example being the novel "Red Rain", previously "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass", "Endless Fields". Hundred-billion-VND movies (derived products) have created a new life for books on the market.
The era of science and technology explodes, social network platforms and digital space also open up infinite space, turning copyright into a resource for publishers.
Recently, the amended Law on Intellectual Property took effect from April 1, 2026, opening up great opportunities for industries holding copyright in the cultural field. The amended and supplemented Law on Intellectual Property has created a legal framework to support the creation and commercial exploitation of intellectual property rights, in order to turn this right into a profitable asset.
With copyright in hand, publishers - distribution units can exploit it in many forms such as: Ebooks (electronic books), Audiobooks (speechbooks), Interactive Books (interactive books), Videobooks... At the same time, exploit profits from derivative products such as movies, toys - just like Marvel Comics once achieved.
In just nearly a decade, the world has witnessed constant changes, the living habits of each of us have changed unexpectedly. Living space, entertainment space are gradually shifting to social networks. Portable electronic devices like smartphones contain the whole world.
In 2-3 years, the online book market has become more vibrant than ever. Just type the keyword "buy books" on a social networking platform, hundreds of pages will appear. A series of online reading apps and e-commerce platforms selling books have also appeared with beautiful interfaces, full of book genres, notably the best-selling books that are selling well in the market.
Fonos, Voiz FM, Waka... are also likened to "Netflix for books". Most apps sell services according to packages, subscriptions, with example prices such as 199 thousand VND for 3 months, 699 thousand VND for 12 months. There will be separate "packages" for readers' needs, packages for members, VIPs... with different prices.
From traditional printed books "buying outright", copyright has now become a huge source of profit for publishers to exploit multi-platform. According to analysis from book websites, the cost for multi-platform digital books has helped publishers, distributors, and publishers link up, saving costs - avoiding risks of inventory and inventory.
If traditional printed books need "capital" to invest in paper, printing processes, warehousing, transportation... then digital books need copyright, server infrastructure. Printed books need a few weeks to distribute to readers nationwide, digital books only need in... a flash. Paper books are limited in printed versions, while digital books are endless.
Currently, according to a report by the Publishing, Printing and Issuing Department, 35/52 publishing houses have undergone digital transformation. With Directive 04-CT/TW, digital transformation, exploiting multi-platform digital books will be a breakthrough journey for the publishing economy to have miracles in the next 5-10 years.
Copyright becomes a matter of survival
The amended and supplemented Law on Intellectual Property will create a legal corridor in tightening copyright in the digital space. The law has set the responsibility of platforms and e-commerce platforms in preventing violating content.
At the beginning of 2025, pirated books are still rampant and difficult to control. With traditional printed books, pirated books, faint letters, distorted covers... are still sold in stores. Just one "hot" book, all social networking platforms will advertise for sale, advertise "auth" books, but receiving them are usually "fake" books. PDF copies of books are also widely shared on social networking groups, everyone can "download" (download) on their own device to read.
Regarding the problem of pirated books and rampant copyright infringement, writer Y Ban shared: "With the genre of literary books, we face countless difficulties, especially the situation of pirated books and copyright infringement. Even when we know that our books are pirated or copied, it is very difficult for us to sue, because being alone will be very tiring. In the field of literature, many authors all spend money to print books themselves, not many publishers are interested, especially in the poetry category. Therefore, pursuing copyright lawsuits, if there is no companionship from all parties, I think it will be very time-consuming and laborious.
In the near future, when the amended and supplemented Law on Intellectual Property takes effect, e-commerce platforms such as: Shopee, TikTok Shop, Tiki, or social networks (Facebook, Telegram) will have to have legal responsibility in protecting book copyright.
Book copyright is now a matter of survival for publishers and distribution units.
From Directive 04, major tasks are being set for the Publishing industry, not only digitizing content but also building online distribution platforms, copyright management systems, reader data and market analysis tools. These will be the elements that constitute a modern publishing ecosystem.
Now, the Publishing industry is not just printing and publishing books but will become a knowledge content industry. There, publishing will be a new ecosystem, where knowledge - technology and the multi-platform market meet, connect, and create a potential publishing economy.
