For many companies, parallel imports are also a big issue. What can they do?
PD: It is very difficult to stop parallel imports because it is not illegal. Products are just imported through a different channel. Some brand owners will identify the weak link in their supply chain by tracing back the parallel products and then rely on contractual obligations to control the flow. It is, however, critical that you register your own trademarks. In the past a more relaxed attitude was to allow the distributor to register your trade marks in their name. However, when the relationship goes bad it is very difficult to recover your trademarks. TN: The Danone and Wahaha trademark dispute in China was followed by many industry observers. What are the lessons for Vietnam? PD: Do your due diligence carefully and deal with intellectual property disputes as they arise. Ensure your contracts have carefully drafted IP transfer clauses and that any intellectual property rights that are meant to be assigned, are in fact assigned and any licences registered, as appropriate. It is als
