COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION IN VIETNAM 2026

What Has Changed in Copyright Registration in Vietnam in 2026?

On 6 April 2026, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP, amending and supplementing several provisions of Decree No. 17/2023/ND-CP, which provides detailed guidance on the implementation of the Intellectual Property Law with respect to copyright and related rights.

The new Decree introduces significant changes not only to the copyright registration dossier, but also to the documentary requirements applicable to specific categories of works. Particular attention is given to computer programs, works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), and applied art works. In addition, the filing procedure has been further standardized, while the statutory processing timeline has been shortened.

Understanding these new requirements is essential for authors, copyright owners, and businesses seeking copyright protection in Vietnam. Proper preparation of the registration dossier from the outset helps minimize the risk of requests for amendment or supplementation and reduces delays in obtaining a Copyright Registration Certificate.

Key Changes Introduced by Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP

Compared with the previous regulations, Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP introduces several noteworthy changes, including:

Standardizing and expanding the documentation required for copyright and related rights registration;
Providing more detailed requirements for specific types of works, particularly computer software, video games, and AI-assisted works;
Narrowing the circumstances in which a Power of Attorney must be notarized or certified, thereby simplifying administrative procedures; and
Shortening the processing period while imposing stricter requirements regarding the completeness and accuracy of the submitted dossier.

These amendments are intended to enhance transparency in the copyright registration process and reduce potential disputes after a Copyright Registration Certificate has been issued.

What Documents Are Required for Copyright Registration in 2026?

Pursuant to Article 39a of Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP, applicants must prepare a complete copyright registration dossier, which generally includes the following documents.

Application Form

The application form must be completed in Vietnamese and contain, at a minimum, the following information:

Information on the author;
Information on the copyright owner;
The date on which the work was completed;
A summary of the work or the relevant subject matter of related rights; and
A declaration confirming the accuracy and truthfulness of the information provided.

The application must be signed or fingerprinted by the author or the copyright owner in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Copies of the Work or Subject Matter of Related Rights

Applicants are required to submit:

Two (02) copies of the work, including an electronic copy where applicable; or
Two (02) fixed copies of the subject matter of related rights, such as performances, sound recordings, video recordings, or broadcasting programs.

These materials serve as the primary basis for the Copyright Office of Vietnam to assess the originality and protectability of the subject matter submitted for registration.

Power of Attorney (Where the Application Is Filed Through a Representative)

Where the application is filed through an authorized representative, a Power of Attorney (PoA) must be submitted.

The PoA should clearly specify:

The identities and contact details of the parties;
The title of the work;
The scope of authorization; and
The term of authorization.

One of the notable improvements under Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP is the relaxation of notarization and certification requirements. A Power of Attorney is required to be certified only where both the principal and the authorized representative are individuals or organizations without legal entity status, as prescribed by law.

Documents Evidencing Copyright Ownership

Depending on the status of the applicant, the copyright registration dossier must include documents proving ownership of the copyright.

For Individual Applicants

Individuals must provide a copy of one of the following identification documents:

Citizen Identity Card;
Identity Card; or
Passport.

For Organizational Applicants

Organizations are required to submit legal documents evidencing their legal status, such as:

Enterprise Registration Certificate;
Establishment Decision;
Operating License; or
Other equivalent legal documents.

These documents enable the Copyright Office of Vietnam to verify the legal capacity of the applicant and determine the lawful owner of the copyright.

Documents Evidencing the Legal Basis for Copyright Ownership

Where the copyright owner is not the author of the work, the applicant must provide documents establishing the legal basis for acquiring ownership of the copyright.

Depending on the circumstances, such documents may include:

Assignment or task allocation decisions;
Commissioning or work-for-hire agreements;
Copyright assignment agreements;
Gift agreements;
Inheritance documents; or
Capital contribution agreements involving copyright.

These documents must be submitted in their original form or as certified true copies in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Providing clear evidence of ownership is particularly important where copyright has been transferred or created under an employment relationship, as ownership disputes commonly arise in such situations.

Author's Statement of Originality

If the author is not the copyright owner, the dossier must include a written statement confirming that:

The work was independently created by the author; and
The work was created pursuant to an employment relationship, an assigned task, or a contractual arrangement, where applicable.

This declaration serves as supporting evidence of the origin of the work and helps establish the relationship between authorship and ownership.

Written Consent of Co-authors or Co-owners

Where a work has multiple authors or is jointly owned, written consent from all co-authors or co-owners must be submitted.

In addition, if the work incorporates another person's image or personal information, the applicant must obtain that person's written consent before filing the application.

Failure to provide these supporting documents may result in requests for amendment or supplementation, thereby extending the registration process.

Special Requirements for Different Types of Works

While certain documents are required for all copyright applications, Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP also imposes additional requirements for particular categories of works.

Applicants should ensure that these specific documentary requirements are fully satisfied before submitting the application.

Cinematographic Works

Applications for cinematographic works must include not only a copy of the completed film but also the screenplay presented in written form.

The screenplay forms part of the registration dossier and serves as supporting evidence of the creative content embodied in the cinematographic work.

Applied Art Works

For applied art works, copies of the work must be presented clearly on A4-size paper.

Where the work exists in the form of digital design files or computer-generated artwork, applicants should submit high-quality images extracted directly from the original design files so that all creative elements can be clearly identified.

This requirement is particularly relevant for industrial designs, product packaging, graphic designs, logos, textile patterns, furniture designs, and other applied art creations.

Computer Programs

Computer programs are subject to more detailed documentary requirements than most other categories of copyright works.

The registration dossier must generally include:

An electronic copy of the source code;
The software interface capable of installation or operation; and
Printed copies of both the graphical user interface (GUI) and the source code on A4-size paper.

Where the source code exceeds 100 pages, applicants are only required to submit:

The first 25 pages;
Twenty-five representative pages from the middle; and
The last 25 pages.

For video games, the dossier must additionally include the game's storyline or script.

These requirements are intended to balance copyright protection with the need to safeguard confidential technical information contained in software source code.

Works Created with the Assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

One of the most significant additions under Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP concerns works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

Applicants seeking copyright registration for AI-assisted works must provide additional supporting documents, including:

A written declaration confirming that the human author made the decisive creative contribution to the work; and
Documentation describing the AI-assisted creation process, such as input materials, prompt history, intermediate drafts, revisions, or other records demonstrating the human creative process.

These requirements reflect Vietnam's evolving approach to AI-generated content by emphasizing that copyright protection is available only where human creativity constitutes the essential and decisive element of the final work.

Accordingly, individuals and businesses using AI tools in creative activities should maintain appropriate records of their creative process to facilitate future copyright registration and potential enforcement actions.

Filing Methods and Processing Timeline

Applicants may submit a copyright registration application to the Copyright Office of Vietnam through one of the following methods:

Filing directly at the competent authority;
Filing by postal service; or
Filing electronically through the National Public Service Portal or the online public service system of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

One of the notable improvements introduced by Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP is the reduction of the statutory processing period.

Under the new regulations, the Copyright Office of Vietnam is required to process a valid application within 22 working days from the date a complete dossier is received.

If the application is found to be incomplete or non-compliant, the competent authority will issue a notice requesting amendment or supplementation of the dossier. The applicant has up to one (01) month from the date of receipt of such notice to submit the required amendments.

Failure to respond within the prescribed period, or failure to adequately remedy the deficiencies, may result in the application being rejected.

Where the application fully satisfies the statutory requirements, the competent authority will issue a Copyright Registration Certificate or a Related Rights Registration Certificate in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Electronic Copyright Registration Certificates

Another noteworthy development under the new regulatory framework is the official recognition of electronic Copyright Registration Certificates.

Applicants may choose to receive either:

A paper Copyright Registration Certificate; or
An electronic Copyright Registration Certificate.

An electronic certificate has the same legal validity as its paper counterpart and may be used in administrative procedures, commercial transactions, licensing activities, and copyright enforcement actions in accordance with Vietnamese law.

The recognition of electronic certificates represents another step toward the digitalization of Vietnam's intellectual property administration system and offers greater convenience for both domestic and foreign applicants.

Why Should Copyright Be Registered as Early as Possible?

Under Vietnamese copyright law, copyright generally arises automatically once a work is created and fixed in a tangible form.

Nevertheless, obtaining a Copyright Registration Certificate remains highly recommended because it provides significant legal and commercial advantages.

Establish strong prima facie evidence of copyright ownership;
Facilitate enforcement against infringement and unauthorized copying;
Support licensing, assignment, investment, commercialization, and technology transfer activities;
Reduce the risk of ownership disputes between authors, employers, investors, and business partners; and
Enhance the value of intellectual property assets in mergers, acquisitions, financing, and other commercial transactions.

For businesses, registering copyright for software, websites, databases, technical documentation, training materials, architectural designs, graphic designs, photographs, videos, marketing materials, and brand assets is an effective strategy for protecting valuable intellectual property.

Early registration is particularly advisable before public disclosure, commercialization, or licensing of a work, as it strengthens the evidentiary position of the copyright owner in any future dispute.

Copyright Registration Services at A.D.V.N Law

A.D.V.N Law provides comprehensive legal services relating to copyright and related rights for both Vietnamese and international clients across a broad range of industries.

Our copyright services include:

Assessing the copyright eligibility and protectability of works;
Advising on authorship, ownership, and legal entitlement;
Preparing, reviewing, and completing copyright registration dossiers;
Representing clients before the Copyright Office of Vietnam throughout the registration process;
Responding to requests for amendment or supplementation issued by the competent authority;
Advising on copyright licensing, assignment, and commercialization;
Assisting with copyright enforcement, dispute resolution, and infringement actions.

With extensive experience in intellectual property law, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution, A.D.V.N Law is committed to helping clients establish, manage, exploit, and enforce their intellectual property rights in Vietnam efficiently and in full compliance with applicable laws.

Conclusion

Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP represents an important milestone in the modernization of Vietnam's copyright registration system.

While the new regulations shorten the processing timeline and streamline several administrative procedures, they also impose more detailed documentary requirements, particularly for computer software, AI-assisted works, applied art works, and other specialized categories of copyrightable subject matter.

Accordingly, authors, copyright owners, and businesses should ensure that their registration dossiers are carefully prepared and fully compliant before submission.

Seeking legal advice at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk of procedural delays, requests for amendment, or rejection of the application, while helping applicants secure copyright protection as efficiently as possible.

If you require legal advice or assistance with copyright registration in Vietnam, please contact A.D.V.N Law. Our intellectual property lawyers are ready to assist you throughout every stage of the registration process—from preliminary assessment and dossier preparation to successful registration and subsequent copyright enforcement.