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Author: Editor VCD

Cases where copyright cannot be transferred

Copyright is one of the important intellectual property rights, which aims to protect the rights and creative efforts of the author for the work they create or own. One of the rights that the author has is to transfer the right to use the work to another organization or individual. However, there are cases where copyright is not allowed to be transferred. The following article of VCD will help you.

1.      What is copyright?

According to Clause 2, Article 1 of the current Intellectual Property Law, the concept is as follows: Copyright is the right of an organization or individual to the work they create or own.

Thus, copyright includes specific rights granted by law to the author or owner of a work, such as the right to name or pen name on the work, to have the real name or pen name mentioned when the work is published, to be copied, adapted or transmitted, to disseminate the work to the public, etc.

Copyright has some of the following outstanding characteristics:

  • Copyright is aimed at protecting the form of expression of the work.
  • The form of establishing rights is based on an automatic mechanism.
  • Copyright limited transfer.
Cases where copyright cannot be transferred

2.      Cases where copyright cannot be transferred

According to Article 45 of the current Law on Intellectual Property, “The transfer of copyright and related rights is the act by which the copyright owner or related rights owner allows another organization or individual to use for a limited period one, some or all of the rights specified in Clause 1 and Clause 3, Article 19, Clause 1, Article 20, Clause 3, Article 29, Clause 1, Article 30 and Clause 1, Article 31 of this Law”.

Thus, the groups of rights that are allowed to transfer copyright include:

Personal rights

Naming the work.

Publishing the work or allowing others to publish the work.

Property rights

Property rights such as Making derivative works; Directly or indirectly copying the whole or part of the work; Broadcasting and communicating the work to the public; Distributing and importing for distribution to the public;

Performers’ property rights such as: Broadcasting, communicating to the public the fixed version of their performance; Fixing their live performance on a sound recording, video recording; Leasing the original or a copy of a cinematographic work, computer program;

Property rights of producers of sound recordings, video recordings such as: Copying all or part of their sound recordings, video recordings; Distributing, importing for distribution to the public; Commercially leasing to the public the original, a copy of their sound recordings, video recordings; Broadcasting, communicating to the public their sound recordings, video recordings;…

Broadcasting organizations’ rights such as: Broadcasting, rebroadcasting their broadcast programs; Fixing their broadcast programs; Directly or indirectly copying all or part of their broadcast program fixation; Distributing, importing for distribution to the public.

For the transfer of copyright, the author is not allowed to transfer the following personal rights:

  • To have his/her real name or pen name on the work; to have his/her real name or pen name mentioned when the work is published or used;
  • To protect the integrity of the work, not to allow others to edit, cut or distort the work in any form that harms the honor and reputation of the author.
  • For the transfer of related rights, the performer is not allowed to transfer the following personal rights:
  • To be introduced by name when performing, when releasing audio recordings, video recordings, or broadcasting the performance;
  • To protect the integrity of the performance image, not to allow others to edit, cut or distort in any form that harms the honor and reputation of the performer.

The transfer of copyright rights is carried out through a copyright license contract, according to the provisions of Article 48 of the Law on Intellectual Property, this contract must be made in writing. The main contents of the contract include:

  • Full names and addresses of the transferor and the transferee.
  • Basis for transfer.
  • Scope of transfer.
  • Price and method of payment.
  • Rights and obligations of the parties.
  • Responsibilities in case of breach of contract.
  • In addition, the implementation, amendment, termination or cancellation of the contract will be applied according to the provisions of the Civil Code.

According to Article 41 of Decree 17/2023/ND-CP, the issuance of a new Certificate of Copyright Registration and Certificate of Related Rights Registration shall take place when there is a change in the copyright owner, related rights owner, or information related to the author, work, performance, sound recording, video recording, or broadcast program.

Meanwhile, transferring the right to use copyright is only allowing the use of copyright for a certain period of time without transferring ownership. Therefore, transferring the right to use is not considered a change of copyright owner, and therefore, there is no need to carry out the procedure for issuing a new Certificate of Copyright Registration.

Above is the article “Cases where copyright cannot be transferred” that VCD sent to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Is it allowed to contribute capital with copyright?

In the context of the modern market economy, capital contribution to enterprises is becoming more and more diverse and rich. One of the notable forms of capital contribution is the use of copyright as a capital contribution. Therefore, many people ask whether copyright is allowed to be contributed to establish a business or not? The following article by VCD will help you.

1.      Is copyright a type of property?

According to the provisions of Article 105 of the 2015 Civil Code, property is defined to include objects, money, valuable papers and property rights, classified into real estate and movable property. Real estate and movable property can be existing property or property formed in the future. Also according to Article 115 of this Code, property rights are defined as rights that can be valued in money, including intellectual property rights, land use rights and other property rights.

According to Clause 1, Article 4 of the current Law on Intellectual Property, intellectual property rights are the rights of organizations or individuals to intellectual property, including copyright and related rights, industrial property rights and rights to plant varieties.

From these provisions, it can be affirmed that copyright is recognized as a type of property. Thereby, copyright owners have the ability to profit from their creations, according to the provisions of current law.

Is it allowed to contribute capital with copyright?

2.     Is it allowed to contribute capital using copyright?

According to the 2020 Enterprise Law, capital contribution is understood as the contribution of assets to form the charter capital of a company, including capital contribution to establish a new company or increase the charter capital of an established company.

Intellectual property rights, according to the provisions of the current Intellectual Property Law, are the rights of organizations or individuals to intellectual property, including copyrights, related rights, industrial property rights and rights to plant varieties.

In Clause 1, Article 34 of the Enterprise Law 2020, contributed capital is determined to be Vietnamese Dong, freely convertible foreign currencies, gold, land use rights, intellectual property rights, technology, technical know-how and other assets that can be valued in Vietnamese Dong. However, it should be noted that only individuals or organizations that are legal owners or have legal rights to use the above assets have the right to use such assets to contribute capital according to the provisions of law.

Therefore, individuals or organizations that legally own intellectual property rights have the full right to use these assets to contribute capital. Capital contribution here is understood as the transfer of intellectual property value through recording the owner on the protection certificate and including this ownership in the list of contributed assets of the enterprise.

3. Conditions for property rights to be contributed as capital.

The property is an intellectual property right that has been registered with a competent state agency and has been granted a protection certificate. Only the owner, that is, the person whose name is on the protection certificate, has the right to use this intellectual property to contribute capital to the enterprise.

According to Clause 1, Article 36, contributed assets that are not Vietnamese Dong, freely convertible foreign currency or gold must be valued by members, founding shareholders or a valuation organization, and the value must be expressed in Vietnamese Dong. Contributed assets when establishing an enterprise must be valued according to the principle of consensus among members or through a valuation organization. If a valuation organization is used, the value of the asset must be approved by more than 50% of the members and founding shareholders.

Note:

  • If the contributed asset is valued higher than its actual value at the time of capital contribution, the members and founding shareholders will have to jointly contribute the difference between the valuation and the actual value. At the same time, they will also be responsible for damages arising from intentionally valuing the asset higher than its actual value.
  • The capital contribution is only considered complete when the legal ownership of the contributed asset has been transferred to the company. For assets used in the business activities of the owner of a private enterprise, it is not necessary to carry out procedures to transfer ownership to the enterprise.
  • In addition, all activities related to the purchase, sale, transfer of shares and capital contributions, receipt of dividends and transfer of profits abroad by foreign investors must be carried out through accounts in accordance with the provisions of the law on foreign exchange management. However, cases of payment by assets or other forms other than cash are still accepted.

Above is the article “ Is it allowed to contribute capital with copyright?” sent to you by VCD. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

Register copyright for website design

In today’s digital age, website design is not simply the work of creating a website but also a unique art form, reflecting the creativity and efforts of the designer. Copyright protection for website design has become more important than ever, in order to protect the ideas and creative labor of individuals and businesses. So how to register copyright for website design? Please follow the article of VCD below.

1.      Is website design an object protected by copyright?

Web design or website design is simply the work of creating a website for individuals, companies, businesses or organizations. This is the work of helping users create a complete website. Websites can be set up as personal blogs, or e-commerce pages of businesses, companies, organizations, etc. Websites of each business, organization, and unit are designed to have their own unique features and characteristics of each business, organization, and individual in order to convey information.

According to Clause 8, Article 6 of Decree 17/2023/ND-CP, an applied art work is a work expressed by lines, colors, shapes, and layouts with useful features, which can be attached to a useful object, produced by hand or industrially.

An applied art work is expressed in the form of an artistic product design that cannot be easily created by a person with average knowledge in the relevant field and does not include the external design of the product that is required to perform the product’s function.

Therefore, website design is protected by copyright as a work of applied art or computer software, depending on the specific part of the design. According to the 2005 Intellectual Property Law, amended in 2022, copyright is protected for literary, artistic and scientific works.

Specifically, Article 14 stipulates that website design can be considered a work of applied art if it is creative and expressed in the form of images or website interfaces. User interfaces (UI), design structures and website images can be protected in this form. Article 22 clearly states that computer software, including HTML, CSS and JavaScript source code used in website design, is protected as a written work, similar to literary works. At the same time, according to Article 6, copyright for works is automatically protected when they are created and expressed in a certain form without registration.

Therefore, after designing and using the website, it is inevitable that other businesses, organizations, and units will infringe upon it when using similar or identical website designs.

Register copyright for website design

2.      How to register copyright for website design.

The application for copyright registration for website design includes:

  • Application for copyright registration for website design (The latest application form for copyright registration in Clause 1, Article 3 of Circular 08/2023/TT-BVHTTDL).
  • A commitment from the author or co-author of the website design.
  • A printed copy of the website design work or source code file.
  • Documents proving the copyright owner for the website design: Assignment contract, Agreement document, etc.

Application for copyright registration can be submitted to the Copyright Office or through representative offices, with the option of submitting the application directly or by post.

During the application process, the Department may request additional or revised information, so timely monitoring and feedback is important to ensure the registration process goes smoothly. Finally, when the application meets the requirements after assessment, the Copyright Office will issue a copyright certificate for the website design.

Necessary notes when protecting copyright for website design:

  • To protect the website design from being copied, it is very important to register copyright immediately after completion. If not done promptly, there may be risks when others use your ideas without permission
  • Storing complete design documents is necessary to protect copyright. You should keep original copies of all related documents, including designs, source codes and updated versions.
  • Consult a specialized lawyer: Lawyers with experience in the field of intellectual property will help you better understand the registration process, as well as your rights and obligations after being granted a certificate. They can also advise on how to handle copyright violations and protect your rights.
  • After registering copyright, you need to monitor the use of your work. If you detect any violations, take timely measures to protect your rights.

Above is the article “Register copyright for website design” that VCD sent to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

What should content creators do to protect the copyright of their works?

In the era of strong digital technology development, people’s need to access information is increasing. The explosion of the Internet and social media platforms has opened up many opportunities for digital content creation. However, this also poses a big challenge for creators in protecting the copyright of their works. The following article from VCD will help you.

1.      What is content creation? Who is a content creator?

Article 2 of Circular 02/2025/TT-BGDDT (effective from March 11, 2025) stipulates as follows:

12. Digital etiquette is a set of rules, standards and appropriate behaviors in the digital environment, including communication via the Internet, using social networks, email, applications and online platforms.

13. Digital content is content that exists in the form of digital data encoded in a readable digital format and can be created, viewed, distributed, modified and stored using computers and digital technology.

14. Digital communication means are platforms, tools and content created, stored, distributed and accessed through digital technology, including the Internet, social networks, mobile applications, electronic devices.

Accordingly, digital content creation is understood as the production of content on digital platforms. Content can include many different formats such as articles, videos, images, sounds, etc.

Digital content creators are generally called digital creators or content creators, who are individuals who utilize their thinking and creativity to produce content on social media to attract viewers. They can be anyone from young creative enthusiasts to those who have experience in the media field. They can work independently or in groups to monetize their content through advertising, sales cooperation, etc. They can work for many different purposes, including entertainment, education, marketing or communication.

What should content creators do to protect the copyright of their works?

2.      What do content creators need to do to protect the copyright of their work?

In recent years, the profession of digital content creation has grown strongly, especially in developed countries. This is due to the explosion of the internet and social media platforms, which have created opportunities for people to share their content with a large audience.

Vietnamese law does not have the concept of copyright, in legal language, copyright is authorship. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 4 of the Law on Intellectual Property: “Copyright is the right of an organization or individual to a work that they create or own”. Copyright issues are regulated in the current Law on Intellectual Property, relevant Decrees, Circulars and other legal documents. Pursuant to Article 14 of the current Law on Intellectual Property, works that are protected by copyright are specifically regulated.

To protect intellectual property rights for creative content products, pay attention to the following points:

  • First, registering copyright at the Copyright Office is necessary. Submit an application for registration for products such as articles, videos, images and music. This application must include a copy of the work, information about the author and owner, along with relevant documents to prove ownership.
  • After completing the registration process, the owner will receive a certificate of copyright. This is an important legal document that helps protect their rights in case of a dispute. This certificate not only confirms ownership but also facilitates the handling of issues related to copyright infringement.
  • In addition to registration, technological measures should be applied to protect content. The use of watermarks, encryption, and copyright tracking tools will help prevent unauthorized copying and use. These technologies not only protect the product but also enhance the value and reputation of the work.
  • Finally, the owner needs to monitor and handle violations regularly. Monitoring to promptly detect violations such as unauthorized copying or distribution is very important. When detecting violations, the owner should take appropriate measures, such as sending warnings, requesting the removal of infringing content, or even filing a lawsuit if necessary. Following these steps will help protect your intellectual property and rights effectively.

Above is the article What should content creators do to protect the copyright of their works? that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

Legal regulations on copyright protection of journalists

In the context of rapid development of the press and media industry, copyright protection has become an increasingly important issue. Copyright not only ensures the rights of journalists but also contributes to promoting creativity and innovation in this field. Legal regulations on copyright provide a solid legal basis, helping journalists protect their works from infringement. So, what are the legal regulations on copyright for journalists? The following article by VCD will help you.

1.      Who is a journalist?

Journalism is a hot profession in society, the more modern society is, the more attention is paid to journalism. Journalists are intellectuals, deeply trained in expertise and profession. Journalism is one of the most sensitive professions in society from the past to the present, playing a political – cultural – social role, and reflecting many current situations of human life. Along with that, the press has a very clear tendency, whether the information and news are widely announced or not, each newspaper, television news… represents the voice and interests of an organization or class.

Journalists are people who work in the field of professional communication, they have to search for information, verify the authenticity of the information and evaluate to ensure its accuracy. Journalists will go to get information every day, every hour to provide hot news to the public through various types of newspapers, television and radio…

Legal regulations on copyright protection of journalists

2.      Legal regulations on protecting the copyright of journalists

According to Clause 2, Article 4 of the Law on Intellectual Property 2005 (amended and supplemented in 2009, 2019), copyright is the right of organizations and individuals to works they create or own.

In which, the subject of copyright includes literary, artistic and scientific works; Subjects of copyright-related rights include performances, sound recordings, video recordings, broadcasts, and encrypted satellite signals carrying programs.

Article 19 stipulates the rights of authors. Specifically, journalists have the right to request their names to be recorded on their works. They also have the right to protect the integrity of their works, that is, to prevent any acts that change, distort, or damage the reputation of their works.

In addition, Article 20 mentions related rights. In addition to copyright, journalists also have related rights, including the rights of those who produce videos, sound recordings, and other media products. This helps protect the interests of all those involved in the content production process, not just the main author.

Finally, regarding the term of copyright protection, Article 20 stipulates that copyright will be protected for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years after the work is published. This ensures that the rights of the author do not stop while they are alive, but also continue after they die.

A typical example to see the copyright of a Journalist is as follows:

Journalist B conducts an interview with a famous musician for an online newspaper. The interview not only has text content but also comes with photos taken during the interview, videos recording special moments and notable quotes from the musician.

According to the provisions of the Intellectual Property Law, as soon as journalist B completes the interview, they become the owner of this work. They have the right to request that their name be listed on the article. If any individual or organization wants to use this content, they must ask for permission and receive consent from journalist B.

If another magazine copies the interview without the consent of journalist B, this will be considered an infringement of copyright. In this case, journalist B has the right to sue the magazine for violating his rights. He can claim compensation for the damage caused by the violation and request an immediate cessation of the unauthorized copying. This clearly shows journalist B’s rights in protecting his work and the importance of copyright in the journalism industry.

To effectively protect copyright, journalists need to have a good understanding of copyright and attend relevant courses. Copyright registration, although not mandatory, will help strengthen rights in case of disputes. Always put your name on the work to confirm ownership and raise awareness among readers. Journalists should also monitor infringements and take timely measures. Finally, connecting with professional organizations will provide the necessary support and legal advice for protecting rights.

Above is the article “Legal regulations on copyright protection of journalists” sent to you by VCD. We hope you find this article useful.

Sincerely,

Is using other people’s documents in your thesis a copyright infringement?

In the process of studying and researching, writing a thesis is an important task, especially for final year students. The thesis not only shows the learning results but also requires the writer to refer to and use documents from many different sources. So, the question is: “Is using other people’s documents in your thesis a copyright violation?” The following article from VCD will help you.

1.      What is a thesis?

A thesis is a concept equivalent to a graduation thesis at some universities, and is sometimes also called a topic. However, we are more familiar with the term thesis or graduation thesis. This is a research work presented in written form, revolving around a certain topic, which can be assigned by a lecturer or chosen by the performer. Thesis is usually completed during university or after graduation, to present the results of the student’s research on the chosen topic.

The graduation thesis is applied to final year students, to evaluate the capacity and results of internship, as well as to research a practical problem in the major. This is the thesis that all students must do to report and present their research work related to the major.

Compared to the graduation thesis, the master’s thesis has higher value, greater complexity and larger scale (usually about 100 pages). While the graduation thesis is just a research report based on personal experience and knowledge gained during the internship, the master’s thesis requires the author to have more specialized knowledge and experience.

Is using other people’s documents in your thesis a copyright infringement?

2.      Is using other people’s documents in the thesis a copyright infringement?

Vietnamese law does not have the concept of copyright, in legal language copyright is authorship. Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 4 of the Law on Intellectual Property: “Copyright is the right of an organization or individual to a work that they create or own”. Issues regarding copyright are regulated in the current Law on Intellectual Property, relevant Decrees, Circulars and other legal documents.

Copyright infringement is the act of using copyrighted works illegally, infringing upon the rights of the author or copyright owner. Acts of copyright infringement are specifically regulated in Article 28 of the current Law on Intellectual Property. At the same time, refer to exceptional cases that do not infringe upon copyright as regulated in Article 25 of the Law on Intellectual Property.

Accordingly, intellectual property rights and copyright are an important part of scientific research. According to the law, research documents such as scientific articles, theses and research works are considered the intellectual property of the author. Therefore, any act of copying or using documents without the permission of the author is a violation of intellectual property rights and copyright. Researchers have the right to own and protect their work from being copied or used without permission.

When using other people’s research documents, researchers must cite the source of the documents fully and accurately. This includes clearly stating the author’s name, document title, year of publication and other details to identify the source of information. Citation is not only a legal requirement but also shows respect and professional ethics.

If researchers want to use a large part of the content or reproduce other people’s research documents, they need to ask for permission and receive consent from the author or copyright owner. This is especially important for documents that are not yet publicly available or have special protection rights.

The law protects the rights of the original author in the event that their documents are used without permission or without full citation. The author has the right to complain, request compensation for damages and request handling of acts of intellectual property infringement.

Therefore, when using other people’s documents, researchers need to pay attention to the following issues:

  • Before using documents, clearly understand the regulations on citation and copyright to avoid violations.
  • Fully and accurately cite the source of the document, including basic information about the author, document name, year of publication and place of publication.
  • For documents that have not been made public under a free license, researchers need to comply with the conditions of the license such as citing the source, not changing the content and only using the document for the purpose of the license.
  • When requesting permission and receiving consent to use the document, the researcher should keep evidence of this permission in case of a dispute.

Above is the article “Is using other people’s documents in your thesis a copyright infringement?” that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

Is video editing a copyright infringement?

In today’s digital age, video editing has become an indispensable part of content production on media platforms. However, besides the creativity and convenience it brings, copyright issues have also become a major concern. Video editing is not simply editing images and sounds; it is also closely related to copyright and intellectual property protection. So does video editing violate copyright? Follow the article “Is video editing a copyright infringement”of VCD below.

1. What is video editing?

Simply put, video editing is the process of editing videos by removing unnecessary parts and combining video clips together to create a more complete product. The editor will select and cut out redundant moments, errors, or unrelated parts. Then, the cut video clips will be re-spliced, creating a coherent timeline. Besides being able to edit audio, including adjusting the sound, adding background music or sound effects. In addition, you can also add visual effects, text, or transitions to make the video more attractive.

Is video editing a copyright infringement

2. Does video editing violate copyright?

Copyright is the author’s right to the works he or she creates, and this right is usually established at the time the author creates the product. Other individuals are not allowed to infringe on the right to manage, use and exploit the value of the work without the author’s consent.

Individuals or organizations that hold copyright have the right to use and exploit the benefits related to their products. The law protects these basic rights, ensuring that copyright holders are recognized and protected.

Copyright infringement is understood as the unauthorized use of another person’s copyrighted work that is protected by copyright law, such as copying, distributing, displaying, or performing the protected work, etc. In which, the copyright owner is usually the creator of the work or the producer or business to whom the copyright is assigned.

There are many examples of video editing that can violate copyright. A common case is the use of scenes from a famous movie without the permission of the producer or copyright owner. Even reaction videos, in which users edit the original video and add their own reactions, can be considered infringement if not approved. In addition, creating a music mashup by combining multiple songs from different artists without permission is also an act of infringement. Clips from TV shows or documentaries cannot be edited without the consent of the broadcasting unit. Creating a video compilation from multiple sources without clearly stating the origin or without permission also poses a risk of copyright infringement.

Article 28 of the Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law specifically stipulates 16 acts that are considered copyright infringement. Organizations and individuals who commit one of the above acts may be subject to civil, administrative or criminal penalties depending on the level and nature of the act.

Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 19 of the Intellectual Property Law, the owner has the right to protect the work he or she creates, including the right to: Protect the integrity of the work, not allowing others to edit, cut or distort the work in any form that harms the honor and reputation of the author.

Thus, comparing the provisions of the law, the act of cutting and editing other people’s video clips must have the consent of the author or copyright owner. Without the consent of others to use or copy their work, any act of cutting, editing, or using images or sounds in their Clips is an act of intellectual property infringement. Therefore, to limit and prevent copyright infringement, authors and owners have the right to request those who cut or edit images to immediately stop infringing their intellectual property rights – copyrights related to posted videos. If the acts of infringers cause material and spiritual damage to them, they can be sued and the Court will force the infringer to compensate them for the damage.

In addition, based on the nature and extent of the act of infringing on the copyright of others, the infringer will be administratively fined from 3 to 5 million VND and at the same time will be subject to remedial measures such as removing edited Clips and publicly correcting them on mass media.

Above is the article “Is video editing a copyright infringement?” that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

What is the difference between ” copyrighted ” software and “open source” software?

In today’s technology world, software is classified into two main types: proprietary software and open-source software. Each type has its own characteristics, affecting how it is used, developed and protected by intellectual property rights. The following “ What is the difference between ” copyrighted ” software and “open source” software“ VCD article will help you understand better.

1.  What are the concepts of “ copyrighted software” and “open-source software”?

“Proprietary software” is software owned by a specific company. It can be understood that it is not free (must be paid for) and is usually only available in binary or executable form, without source code to view or edit. Proprietary software is often released with a separate license, imposing many restrictions on how it is used. Sometimes you also have to pay to use the software or to have access to the source code.

“Open source” simply means that the source code of the software is made available for anyone to view and edit. Typically, open source allows anyone to contribute ideas and publish their modified versions so that others can access and continue to contribute. Most open-source software is built from contributions from many different programmers.

What is the difference between " copyrighted " software and "open source" software?

2.      What is the difference between “copyrighted” software and “open source” software?

The basic differences between proprietary software and open source software are as follows: Proprietary software has characteristics such as closed source code, costs, support community depends on the management of the publisher, and poor customizability. Meanwhile, open source software has open source code, is completely free, has a large support community, good customizability and is more flexible than proprietary software.

“Proprietary” Software:

Advantages:

  • Quality: Industry-leading software is often top-notch and thoroughly tested. When you invest in these programs, you can expect them to work reliably and provide most of the features you need for the job.
  • Ease of use: Most proprietary commercial software is designed to be user-friendly. Even people with no programming knowledge can easily pick it up and use it without difficulty.
  • Support: Proprietary software manufacturers often offer professional technical support. This is important when you run into problems, as you will receive quick and efficient help from a team of experts.
  • Integration: Many proprietary software allow for good integration between products from the same developer. This makes it easy for users to work with different tools without running into compatibility issues. For example, Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Edge often work well on Windows.

Disadvantages:

  • Cost: Top-of-the-line proprietary software can be expensive, and prices can vary depending on the features you need. You may have to pay for a service plan or subscription, along with future license renewal costs.
  • Inflexibility: Because the software owner controls the source code, users cannot edit or customize it as they wish. This can result in waiting for updates from the developer without any guarantee of the features they need.
  • Availability: Not all commercial software is compatible with every device or platform. For example, software that runs well on Windows may not work on macOS or Linux, and users may have to wait for the developer to release a compatible version for the new platform.

“Open Source” Software

Advantages:

  • Cost: Most open source programs are free or cost much less than similar commercial software. This helps users avoid the registration or license renewal costs that proprietary software often requires.
  • Community: Many open source software has a large community of users and developers who support development and modifications. This community is also helpful when you need help or troubleshooting.
  • Customization: With open source, users can modify the software to suit their specific business needs. For example, WordPress is highly customizable with many available modifications.
  • Flexibility: Not all open source software is compatible with all types of hardware. A program for Linux may not have a version for Windows. However, programmers can use the source code to develop a version compatible with the platform they want.

Disadvantages:

  • Difficulty: Open source software is often not as user-friendly as commercial software. Inexperienced users may find it difficult to use and learn, with a steeper learning curve and fewer instructional resources.
  • Support: The lack of paid technical support can make troubleshooting difficult. If the software does not have an active community, you will have to find solutions yourself, which can take longer than calling support for commercial software.

In conclusion, software copyright is mainly used by developers and owners of proprietary software to prevent unauthorized copying. Copyright owners are usually the creators of the work or businesses that have been assigned ownership. To protect their rights, they will register their software copyright to prove their legal ownership. VCD is a unit specializing in providing copyright registration services, supporting developers and authors to effectively protect their intellectual property.

Above is the article “What is the difference between “copyrighted” software and “open source” software?” that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

Sincerely,

Does copyright protect content?

Copyright is an important component of intellectual property rights, and therefore, it also possesses the outstanding characteristics of this field. The objects protected by copyright are intellectual creative activities, expressed through unique works in literature, art and science. Moreover, copyright also has certain limitations in terms of space, time and content of protection, to ensure fairness and reasonableness in the use of works. However, the question is whether copyright protects the content of the work or not. The following article of VCD will help you.

1.      What is copyright?

The term “copyright” is expressed differently in different languages: English uses “copyright” (meaning the right to copy), French is “droit d’auteur” (author’s right), and German is “Urheberrecht” (copyright). This difference reflects the diverse approaches to the concept of copyright and the protected subjects. Depending on the viewpoint, copyright law in the world is divided into two systems: the continental European system (Droit Auteur – System) and the Anglo-American system (Copyright – System). Regardless of the approach, countries agree that copyright includes the rights (personal rights and property rights) of the subject (author and copyright owner) to their work, recognized and protected by law.

According to the current Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law, the concept of “copyright” according to Clause 2, Article 4 of the 2005 Intellectual Property Law (amended and supplemented in 2009, 2019) is the right of an organization or individual to the work they create or own. In which, copyright arises from the moment the work is created and expressed in a certain material form, regardless of content, quality, form, means, language, regardless of whether the work has been published or not, registered or not with the competent authority.

Thus, as soon as the work is created, comes into being and exists in a recognizable form, copyright also arises from that moment. At the same time, the subject of copyright includes literary, artistic, and scientific works; the subject of rights related to copyright includes performances, sound recordings, video recordings, broadcast programs, and encrypted satellite signals carrying programs.

Does copyright protect content?

2.      Does copyright protect content?

Characteristics of copyright:

  • First, the subject of copyright is the product of creative spiritual activities. This creative field mainly focuses on culture and art, aiming to satisfy spiritual needs and improve knowledge in these fields. The work, as the subject of copyright, often reflects the thoughts, feelings, style and outlook on life of the creator, containing certain spiritual content.
  • Second, copyright is established automatically. This means that copyright arises without any procedures or formalities. When a work is shaped and recognizable, the author or copyright owner automatically has rights to that work, and these rights are recognized and protected by law without the need for registration. However, protection will not apply when the work exists only in the creator’s idea.
  • Finally, copyright only protects the form of expression of the work, not the creative idea.

One of the important characteristics of copyright is that it only protects the form of expression of the work, not the content inside. Creative works in the fields of literature, art and science are only valuable when the public can access them. Therefore, copyright is only protected by law when the work is expressed in a specific form that can be recognized and identified.

Creative activities often require material sources such as ideas and information, and these sources can be considered common property of society. Everyone has the right to exploit them freely, so they are not within the scope of copyright protection. From these common material sources, the author uses tools such as language, sound, images, and colors, and adds personal thoughts and feelings to create the work.

Although the ideas and themes of the works may overlap, the form of expression of each author cannot be identical, because the creative process depends on the way the author uses his materials and tools.

Based on the above analysis, it can be seen that the law only protects copyright for the form of expression, but does not protect the theme or content of the work.

Above is the article “Does copyright protect content?” that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

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Are personal images copyrighted?

From a legal perspective, many people are often confused about whether personal images are protected by copyright under the Law on Intellectual Property in Vietnam. This confusion largely stems from the lack of clear distinction between personal rights and intellectual property rights. So, are personal images protected by copyright? Please follow the article of VCD below.

1.      Legal provisions on copyrighted works?

Copyright, also known as author’s rights, is the legal right to protect human creative works in fields such as literature, art and science. Protected works include literary works such as books, poems, stories, works of art, musical works, logos, scientific works, computer programs, etc. Copyright ensures that the creator of the work has the right to control, manage, own the use, distribution, etc. of the work and benefit from the fruits of his or her intellectual labor.

According to the provisions of the current Law on Intellectual Property, Article 18 stipulates: copyright includes personal rights and property rights. Personal rights include rights attached to the individual author related to the honor and reputation of the author and are non-transferable. Meanwhile, property rights are transferable rights that allow the author to exploit the economic value of his or her own work such as: copying, distributing, the right to make derivative works, etc. Property rights that can be transferred or inherited play an important role in exploiting the economic benefits of the work.

Therefore, it can be seen that copyright only applies to original creative works and belongs to one of the types prescribed by the Law on Intellectual Property. Therefore, the Law on Intellectual Property only protects works that express personal creativity and have certain artistic, scientific, and literary values. These creations must be expressed in a certain material form.

Are personal images copyrighted?

2.      Are personal images protected by copyright?

Personal images are not creative works of artistic or scientific nature like works of the type protected under the provisions of the current Law on Intellectual Property. A portrait or everyday image of an individual is not considered an original, unique, and non-artistic product in the sense that the Law on Intellectual Property requires protection.

Personal images are mainly related to the personal rights and privacy of individuals, not related to the creative or commercialization process. However, it should be noted that the personal rights here are not the personal rights of the author.

While copyrighted works are often for commercial purposes, exploiting economic value or protecting the author’s rights, personal images are mainly protected to ensure that the individual has the right to control how his or her image is used.

Article 32 of the 2015 Civil Code (No. 91/2015/QH13) clearly stipulates the rights of individuals to their own image. Specifically, individuals have full rights to their own image; any party wishing to use this image must have that person’s consent. In particular, if the image is used for commercial purposes, the user must pay remuneration to the owner of the image, unless otherwise agreed.

This regulation aims to protect the personal rights of each individual, ensuring that their image is not abused or misused, causing damage to their honor and reputation. This helps prevent abusive behaviors, such as using images for commercial purposes without permission, or distorting or falsifying images to affect individuals.

When the use of images violates the law, individuals have the right to request the Court to intervene, request the withdrawal, destruction or termination of the use of the image, as well as compensation for damages according to the provisions of law.

Personal image is not only a personal right but also one of the basic personal data protected by many different legal documents. In particular, Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection, effective from July 2023, has identified personal images as a type of protected data.

While the Intellectual Property Law protects creative works, allowing authors to commercially exploit and benefit economically from their intellectual products, the right to personal image focuses on protecting the personal rights, privacy and dignity of individuals. The goal is not to exploit the commercial value of images, but to protect the right of individuals to decide how to use their images, preventing abuse that could damage their honor or reputation.

Therefore, the right to personal image is often confused with the personal rights in copyright or authorship, but in fact, despite many similarities, these two concepts still have important differences that cannot be identified.

In fact, personal images are not protected by copyright, because copyright only applies to creative works of artistic, literary and scientific nature. Instead, personal images are protected under the provisions of the Civil Code and related laws, to ensure personal rights and protect the privacy of individuals. This provision helps prevent the abuse of personal images and protect the honor and reputation of each individual in society.

Above is the article Are personal images copyrighted?” that VCD sends to you. We hope this article is useful to you.

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