Software has become one of the most valuable intellectual property assets of modern businesses. An enterprise management system, mobile application, e-commerce platform, SaaS solution, or device-control software may represent months or even years of investment in personnel, technology, and financial resources.However, the fact that a company has funded, developed, and commercially used software does not necessarily mean that issues concerning authorship, copyright ownership, and the scope of rights in the software are legally clear.Disputes may arise when a developer leaves the company, an outsourced software provider retains the source code, a business partner copies the program, or the parties disagree over who legally owns the software.For this reason, although copyright generally arises automatically without registration, copyright registration for computer programs remains an important legal measure for establishing evidence of ownership and strengthening the enforceability of software-related rights.This article by A.D.V.N Law Company Limited provides a practical guide to software copyright registration in Vietnam under the regulations applicable in 2026.

Learn about the latest copyright registration requirements in Vietnam under Decree No. 134/2026/ND-CP, including required documents, filing procedures, processing timelines, and important compliance considerations.

Logos, product packaging, brand identity systems, graphic designs, fashion designs, decorative works, and other commercially applied designs are not merely aesthetic elements. In many cases, they are valuable intellectual property assets that contribute directly to brand recognition, product differentiation, and market value.These designs are commonly used on products, websites, social media, advertising materials, retail systems, and commercial premises. Because they are visually accessible and relatively easy to reproduce, they are also frequently involved in disputes concerning unauthorized copying, imitation, ownership, and use by former employees, freelance designers, or external agencies.Under Vietnamese intellectual property law, many creative designs with practical application may qualify for protection as applied art works.Although copyright generally arises automatically upon creation and fixation of the work, copyright registration for applied art works remains an important legal measure for establishing evidence of authorship, ownership, and the protected work.This article by A.D.V.N Law Company Limited provides a practical guide to copyright registration for applied art works in Vietnam under the regulations applicable in 2026.