Removing obstacles on collective trademarks and geographical indications for local products

Local product promotion activities at the Dong Nai Province Agricultural Achievement Exhibition 2025. Photo: Hai Quan

Regarding certification marks, collective marks, and geographical indications affected by administrative reorganization, the Department of Science and Technology has recently provided guidance and support to enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative groups, etc. Thereby, ensuring the implementation of appropriate handling plans in accordance with regulations related to intellectual property.

Strengthening guidance for trademark management entities

According to statistics from the website of the Department of Intellectual Property ( Ministry of Science and Technology ), in Dong Nai province there are currently a total of 3 geographical indications, 2 certification trademarks and 47 collective trademarks registered and protected.

Regarding geographical indications, there are 3 geographical indications, of which Dong Nai province (old) has 2 geographical indications (“Tan Trieu” for grapefruit, “Long Khanh” for rambutan) and Binh Phuoc province (old) has 1 geographical indication (“Binh Phuoc” for cashew nuts). Regarding certification marks, there are 2 certification marks including the certification mark “Tra Co - Tan Phu green-legged shrimp” and the certification mark “Binh Phuoc rubber”.

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai said: For the 21 collective trademarks that are still valid and owned and managed by cooperatives, cooperative groups, etc. as mentioned above, the department will issue documents guiding these units to proactively carry out procedures to amend and reissue certificates according to the provisions of the Law on Intellectual Property and implementing guidelines.

Regarding collective trademarks, according to the Department of Science and Technology, the whole province has 47 collective trademarks. Specifically, Dong Nai province (old) has 44 collective trademarks, of which 25 are still valid and Binh Phuoc province (old) has 3 collective trademarks. Of the total 28 valid collective trademarks, 7 are owned and managed by farmers' associations and commune People's Committees; the remaining 21 collective trademarks are owned and managed by cooperatives, cooperative groups, etc.

In mid-October 2025, the Department of Science and Technology of Dong Nai province held a meeting to review and propose solutions for certification marks, collective marks, and geographical indications due to administrative reorganization. Accordingly, representatives of relevant units and entities discussed solutions to remove and handle collective marks including: Gia Kiem water celery, Pepper Loc Thinh pepper, Cam My durian, Long Khanh black fungus, Thanh Luong - Binh Long free-range chicken, Thanh Luong - Binh Long cowhide pepper, Loc Ninh pepper; certification marks including: Tra Co green-legged shrimp, Binh Phuoc rubber...

Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology Vo Hoang Khai suggested: The trademark management entities review and agree with the locality on the appropriate handling plan for certification trademarks, collective trademarks, and geographical indications. The specialized departments and divisions of the Department of Science and Technology coordinate with relevant units to strengthen guidance for trademark management entities, geographical indications, and localities to ensure the implementation of appropriate plans, in accordance with procedures and regulations related to intellectual property.

Focus on maintaining and developing brands and geographical indications

Accordingly, the Department of Science and Technology proposed a plan to delegate management and ownership of collective trademarks, certification trademarks, and geographical indications after administrative unit arrangement.

Long Khanh mushroom production activities - products that have been established as intellectual property rights for collective trademarks. (Photo: Binh Nguyen)

Long Khanh mushroom production activities - a product that has been granted intellectual property rights as a collective trademark. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Specifically, for 3 geographical indications, the Department of Science and Technology proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign the Department of Agriculture and Environment to organize the management of 2 geographical indications "Tan Trieu" for grapefruit, geographical indication "Long Khanh" for rambutan. The Department of Science and Technology organizes the management of 1 geographical indication "Binh Phuoc" for cashew nuts.

For the certification mark "Tra Co green prawn", the unit proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign the People's Committee of Tan Phu commune as the owner and management organization for the certification mark. For the certification mark "Binh Phuoc rubber", the Department proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign the Department of Science and Technology as the owner and management organization for this certification mark.

Regarding the 7 collective trademarks that are still in effect and owned by the farmers' associations and the commune People's Committees, the Department proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign the Dong Nai Farmers' Association as the owner and manager of 3 collective trademarks: Pepper Loc Thinh, Cam My durian and Loc Ninh pepper. The Gia Kiem Commune Farmers' Association is the owner and manager of the Gia Kiem water celery collective trademark. The Bao Vinh Ward Farmers' Association is the owner and manager of the Long Khanh wood ear mushroom collective trademark. The An Loc Ward Farmers' Association is the owner and manager of 2 collective trademarks: Thanh Luong - Binh Long free-range chicken and Thanh Luong - Binh Long cowhide pepper...

Chairman of Gia Kiem Commune Farmers' Association Lai Van Nguyen shared: The locality hopes that the Department of Science and Technology will support the maintenance and updating of the collective trademark of Gia Kiem water celery to ensure intellectual property regulations. Thereby, creating a premise to maintain and develop the brand for local celery products, as well as promote trade promotion activities and connect stable outputs in the coming time.

Lam Phuong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202512/thao-go-vuong-mac-ve-nhan-hieu-tap-the-chi-dan-dia-ly-cho-san-pham-dia-phuong-a1b3569/