VietNamNet Bridge – Vincom has won a prompt victory in the lawsuit against
Vincon, where it sues Vincon for imitating its famous brand.

Just
one month after Vincom Joint Stock Corporation took legal proceedings against
the Vincon Land and Finance Corporation to the Hanoi People’s Court, and lodged
an appeal to the inspectors of the Ministry of Science and Technology
requesting to settle the case which it calls a “serious violation of intellectual property”, the Chief Inspector
of the Ministry of Science and Technology released a decision to fine Vincon
for the violations in industrial property rights.

As
such, a new record in dealing with
intellectual property right violations has been set, bringing a prompt victory
to Vincom.

Besides,
the Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute (VIPRI) has officially
concluded that “the symbol of ‘Vincon’ is so similar to ‘Vincom’ that may make
it mistaken for the brand “Vincom”, now under protection of the law.

The
state management agencies have affirmed that the Vincon Land
and Finance Corporation, which uses the symbol of “Vincon” on signboards,
documents, advertisement tools, has violated the right for “Vincom” brand,
owned by Vincom Corporation, under the protection of the law.

The
agencies have decided to impose a fine of 14 million dong for\ the behavior of
violating the regulations on intellectual property rights, and force Vincon
Corporation to remove “Vincon” on signboards, documents, and advertisement
tools.

In
late November 2010, Vincom Joint Stock Corporation officially announced it will
take legal proceedings against Vincon. According to Vincom, the commercial name
of Vincon is similar to the commercial name of Vincom. Meanwhile, the name
“Vincom” was registered for brand protection a long time ago, and the name has
become well known in the real estate sector.

Vincom
believes that the name “Vincon” has led to misunderstandings. People have
mistaken Vincom for Vincon, thus causing negative impacts on the image and prestige
of Vincom

After
the announcement was made, on December 11, 2010, Vincon’s leaders came to the
head office of Vincom Corporation to discuss the solutions to the case.

After
the meeting, Vincom Corporation agreed to the suggestions by Vincon that the
two corporations will hold a press conference to relay the result of the
negotiations. At the press conference, the two sides will inform that Vincon
will officially change its name and remove the violation factors. The two sides
also agreed that the press conference would be held on December 22, 2010.

However,
on December 17, 2010, Vincom Corporation received the Dispatch No 151 from
Vincon Corporation, in which Vincon asked for the delay of the name changing
until February 2011.

Right
after receiving the document, Vincom decided to cancel the press conference
agreed by the two sides and went ahead to take legal proceedings as previously
planned.

Le
Khac Hiep, Chair of Vincom, said that the decision by the Ministry of Science
and Technology has created a precedent that helps authentic businesses to
heighten their awareness in protecting their brands and to fight unhealthy
behaviors in building and developing brands. This will help create a healthy
and transparent business environment, where all enterprises have equal
opportunities to do business.

Le Khac