The era of "use it if you like" is over!

Copyright and intellectual property infringement is nothing new, but increasingly sophisticated and complex forms are emerging, especially in the context of developing digital technology . The unauthorized use of others' intellectual property is no longer an isolated act but has evolved into many different forms.

Copyright infringement is prevalent in almost all fields, including culture and art. From music , books, photography to film, the unauthorized use of other people's works is widespread. In the music industry, many musical arrangements are used indiscriminately for various purposes. Some people are even so "skilled" that they find ways to crack software and illegally access content to use it without paying.

Photography is perhaps the most commonly misused art form. Many people download and repost photos they find online that look "nice," using them indiscriminately without permission, often without crediting the source or author. The same is true for books; many are copied, digitized, and rapidly disseminated on digital platforms shortly after publication, regardless of the effort and intellectual property invested by the author and publisher.

Therefore, the recent handling of numerous organizations and individuals for intellectual property infringement has received public approval. Transparency, openness, and fairness in the enforcement of intellectual property rights are essential requirements of a civilized society. In particular, Prime Minister 's Directive No. 38/CĐ-TTg dated May 5, 2026, on strengthening the fight against, prevention, and handling of intellectual property infringements is seen as a "iron discipline," affirming the strictness of the law in this field.

In implementing Directive 38, the People's Committee of Can Tho City has also issued a plan to comprehensively implement solutions to detect, prevent, and strictly handle violations of intellectual property rights, especially counterfeit goods, infringement of industrial property rights, geographical indications, collective trademarks, certification marks, and violations in the digital environment.

Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also issued a plan to strengthen state management of law enforcement activities regarding intellectual property rights. Accordingly, the Ministry will intensify inspections of compliance with legal regulations on copyright and related rights at businesses, organizations, and individuals operating in the fields under its management; and at the same time, promptly detect, correct, and handle violations of copyright of computer programs, films, music, television programs, and video games in the online environment…

In the digital age, a work can easily be copied and disseminated in seconds, demanding legal awareness and civilized behavior from everyone. Respecting copyright is not only about protecting the efforts and intellect of creators but also about upholding the law and building a healthy and fair creative environment. It's time to put an end to the "use it if you like" or "use it for free" mentality, because all acts of intellectual property infringement must be condemned and severely punished according to the law.

DUY KHOI

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/het-thoi-thich-thi-xai--a205706.html