Major turning point in copyright protection
Talking to Lao Dong reporters about tightening management of copyright and copyright in the digital space, Lawyer Pham Quoc Bao - Bao Ngoc Law Firm (Hanoi Bar Association) said, "We are having very big, historic turning points when the space for copyright and copyright management is being expanded. Copyright and copyright are becoming assets in the digital space protected by law and the State.
Accordingly, the amended Law on Intellectual Property (Law No. 131/2025/QH15) officially took effect from April 1, 2026, highlighting the responsibility of digital platforms such as YouTube in jointly participating in protecting copyright and authors' copyright.
In addition, Official Dispatch No. 38/CD-TTg of the Prime Minister has focused on directing the drastic implementation of solutions to fight, prevent, and handle acts of infringing intellectual property rights. This is also a "lever" for management agencies to drastically participate in the transparent cash flow process in the digital market.
The Investigation Police Agency of the Ministry of Public Security has just prosecuted simultaneously 5 units on charges of infringing copyright and related rights, including: BH Media, Lululola, 1900 Group, May Sai Gon, Giọng ca để đời... showing specific, quick, and historic actions in tightening management and protection of copyright and related rights.
Need a clear complaint handling process
According to Lawyer Pham Quoc Bao, "to effectively protect copyright, the coordination of many relevant agencies is needed, and changes are also needed in both the foundation and management mechanism.
Lawyers argue that platforms need to require greater transparency in rights records when declaring copyright. Rights holders must provide clear grounds such as transfer contracts, authorization letters or documents proving the scope of ownership rights.
Digital platforms cannot just stand in the role of technical intermediaries. When participating in revenue distribution, content management and operation of automatic copyright mechanisms, platforms also need to have greater responsibility in ensuring transparency and fairness.
There needs to be a clear, transparent complaint handling process with specific deadlines. Creators need to know why content is restricted in rights, restricted or revenue transferred; and must have the opportunity to respond fairly.
In addition, the platform also needs to coordinate better with management agencies and copyright representative organizations in Vietnam in verifying information and supporting dispute resolution" - Lawyer Pham Quoc Bao said.
The lawyer proposed that when copyright and royalties are assets of the digital economy, Vietnam needs to soon build a more synchronous digital copyright database to support the verification of copyright and related rights quickly, thoroughly, and specifically. When information is transparent and easy to look up, disputes will decrease.
In addition, it is also necessary to increase the support role of copyright representative organizations, especially for independent artists or small-scale creators. Currently, many people do not have sufficient legal, financial or experience conditions to protect their rights in the digital environment" - the lawyer gave his opinion.
When complaints arise, revenue should be temporarily seized during the verification period. More importantly, it is necessary to change the mindset from "handling after violations occur" to "verifying rights from the beginning".
When the rights records are checked clearly, specifically, and in detail from the declaration stage, the system will be more transparent and fair.
