The digital environment presents many challenges to copyright protection.

On June 17th, the international conference on 'Copyright Enforcement in the Digital Environment' opened in Hanoi. Taking place over five days, from June 17th to 21st, the conference is organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (represented by the Copyright Office) in collaboration with the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

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The international conference on 'Copyright Enforcement in the Digital Environment' was attended by delegates and experts from 15 countries. Photo: Van Anh

In his welcome speech at the conference, Mr. ChoiYoungsam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, believed that the conference was an opportunity for policymakers and experts from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to update useful information; consult and learn from other countries' experiences in effectively enforcing copyright. At the same time, this was also an opportunity for delegates to discuss different methods to strengthen and consolidate international cooperation to deal with situations and challenges in today's strong digital transformation environment.

According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the rapid development of digital technology has created enormous new spaces, opening up many opportunities and prospects for long-term and sustainable economic development.

The 4.0 revolution also creates environments for people to unleash their creativity, including digital technology innovations. “The space is more open, but it is also posing many challenges. In particular, enforcing copyright in digital space is an issue we must pay attention to,” Mr. Ho An Phong emphasized.

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Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said the conference is a good opportunity to update the situation of copyright enforcement, especially in the digital environment of each country and region. Photo: Organizing Committee

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong also stated that the development of the cultural industry is currently receiving great attention in Vietnam and is identified as one of the key areas playing an important role in the country's socio-economic development.

“We want to promote the cultural industry to develop the economy. Copyright enforcement in the digital environment is one of the issues that need attention to promote the cultural industry in the coming time,” added a representative of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

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Mr. Xavier Vermandele, Senior Legal Advisor, WIPO Intellectual Property Respect Division, discussed at the conference. Photo: Organizing Committee

Echoing this sentiment, Xavier Vermandele, Senior Legal Advisor, WIPO's Intellectual Property Respect Division, affirmed: Copyright enforcement is a crucial component in promoting innovation, creativity, and economic development. This is especially important in the digital age, where the copying and dissemination of creative works is easy, posing significant challenges to copyright protection.

“ Effective copyright enforcement not only protects the rights of creators but also fosters a favorable environment for investment in creative activities across industries. It provides legal certainty for businesses, which is essential for attracting investment and promoting growth in all sectors. Furthermore, it contributes to the overall development of a nation by creating job opportunities and boosting economic activity,” emphasized Xavier Vermandele.

However, the WIPO representative also pointed out that copyright enforcement and, more broadly, the culture of copyright respect, especially in the digital environment, are facing many challenges. The global nature of the Internet and the rapid advancement of digital technology make copyright enforcement more difficult, leading to widespread copyright infringement, reducing the value of creative works and hindering innovation.

Strengthening the capacity of copyright enforcement agencies and expanding international cooperation.

According to the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the field of copyright, WIPO treaties such as the Copyright Treaty, the Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the Beijing Treaty for the Protection of Audiovisual Performances... have formed a system of important legal tools to resolve copyright issues in the digital environment.

Over the years, along with gradually improving the legal framework on copyright and focusing on raising awareness and compliance with copyright law, Vietnam has proactively and actively participated in multilateral and bilateral international treaties on copyright and related rights, especially those multilateral international treaties on copyright and related rights managed by WIPO.

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According to the Copyright Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the legal framework for copyright in Vietnam has been gradually improved. (Illustrative image: MQ)

To date, Vietnam has ratified seven international treaties on copyright and related rights, including: the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonographic Records against Unauthorized Reproduction of Phonographic Records; the Brussels Convention relating to the Distribution of Television Programs via Satellite; the Rome Convention for the Protection of the Rights of Performers, Producers of Phonographic Records and Broadcasters; the TRIPs Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property; the World Intellectual Property Organization's Copyright Treaty (WCT); and the World Intellectual Property Organization's Treaty on Performances and Phonographic Recordings (WPPT)...

However, according to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, in order to effectively take advantage of opportunities from joining international copyright treaties as well as meeting domestic needs, Vietnam must gradually improve the capacity of copyright management and enforcement agencies, especially in the digital environment.

From WIPO's perspective, Mr. Xavier Vermandele said that, in addition to improving the capacity of copyright management and enforcement agencies, strengthening cooperation at the national and international levels between law enforcement agencies and other relevant parties, including the private sector as intermediaries, plays an important role in addressing issues and challenges in copyright enforcement, especially copyright enforcement in the digital environment.

With 34 topics and 50 presentations from international and Vietnamese experts in the field of copyright, the international conference on 'Copyright enforcement in the digital environment' focused on discussing many issues: The value of copyright and the contribution of creative industries to the economy; Common methods of online copyright infringement; Threats related to the use of pirated content; Methods of resolving online copyright infringement...