Tinh Van Group Partners with Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization

2021-12-28 16:00:17

Currently, copyright infringement (reproduction rights) is no longer an isolated phenomenon of a single author but has become a systemic issue. From one author speaking out about infringement, many more authors have come forward about their works being infringed upon uncontrollably.

Current Situation

It can be said that the unauthorized copying of works (copyright) in business and commercial activities in our country has been occurring illegally, as those making copies do not seek permission and do not pay royalties to the copyright owners as stipulated by the Intellectual Property Law and applicable international treaties in Vietnam. This situation not only adversely affects the legitimate rights of copyright owners but also causes serious long-term consequences for the country's human resource development. Moreover, with technological advancements, copyright infringement also occurs in many fields with unpredictable tactics, notably the infringement of copyright and related rights on digital platforms.

The question is, what must be done to stop the ongoing copyright infringement as described above?

In reality, transparency in copyright exploitation in Vietnam has been very low. Copyright information is managed on isolated systems with low data security or none at all, and is completely susceptible to external interference. Therefore, over time, the data storage system will grow larger, and access frequency will increase due to the need for comparison and cross-referencing, which will be difficult to meet using traditional storage and retrieval technologies.

Additionally, the system will struggle to meet long-term resource and performance requirements, posing high risks to the IT infrastructure. A system failure could lead to unpredictable risks such as data loss or loss of digital copyright information that cannot be recovered or would require significant time and financial resources to restore to its original state.

Digital Transformation and Control

Although there are sanctions in place, implementing and applying these regulations in practice is another matter. This raises the question of where to start, the direction, and the sequence of enforcing legal provisions on copyright and related rights for all stakeholders. At the same time, it also poses the question of how the Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization (VIETRRO), with its unique role and position, should propose and contribute to improving current sanctions to ensure the strictest compliance by all parties. Particularly, how to control and stop the rampant copyright infringement in today's society.

Since its establishment in 2010, the Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization (VIETRRO) has been managing collective rights for the exclusive right to authorize the use of works in all forms of copying and digital use, aiming to effectively exploit the economic value of copyrighted works, based on the authorization of members and legal regulations; providing users with necessary services to access works they need legally, easily, and at reasonable costs.

However, besides limitations in enforcement mechanisms, there is also a lack of awareness among stakeholders. In many cases, when copyright issues are raised regarding authors' works, they cannot be resolved through sanctions or even compromise between parties. Therefore, in addition to proposing improvements to policy mechanisms for authorities, the Organization is also improving its management of collective rights for the exclusive right to authorize the use of works in all forms of copying and digital use by immediately applying modern technologies and the most advanced methods for copyright (reproduction rights), which are being implemented vigorously.

With the rapid and strong development of technology, the digital transformation applied in the field of copyright (reproduction rights and related rights) has been carried out by VIETRRO in collaboration with Tinh Van Technology Joint Stock Company (Tinhvan Group) to build and operate the first digital library in our country on the latest technology platform: blockchain technology.

Management Board of the Digital Library Project of the Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization and Tinhvan Group

Accordingly, the optimal features of blockchain technology are fully utilized: blockchain exists permanently and cannot be forged or is very difficult to destroy; blockchain technology can only be destroyed when the internet environment no longer exists; blockchain technology ensures immutability—if a transaction or data has been recorded by the holder of the private key (only the blockchain creator has it), that data cannot be altered; blockchain technology creates transparency as anyone can track the path of a blockchain from one address to another and view the entire history of that address; blockchain technology demonstrates data security as information and data about blockchain chains are distributed, absolutely secure, and only the private key holder can access them; blockchain technology proves convenience and intelligence in ensuring copyright for all parties when digital assets are embedded with a code (IFTTT) that allows them to execute automatically. In practice, there will be an intermediary to ensure or monitor that all parties comply with the set terms.

Currently, based on social awareness, the cooperation between VIETRRO and Tinh Van, and the urgent need for social management in the era of the 4.0 industrial revolution, the implementation of the Digital Library has basically completed the construction of a digital resource cataloging system and the legal framework for digital copyright.

Chairman of the Vietnam Reproduction Rights Organization, Mr. Hoang Trong Quang (left) and Chairman & CEO of Tinhvan Group, Mr. Hoang To (right)

From 2022 to 2025, VIETRRO and Tinh Van will continue to complete the digital resource repository and exploitation applications, finalize the copyright registration portal, establish a fee collection mechanism with units/organizations, begin research and development of bookchain, integrate digital copyright management using blockchain technology, research and develop blockchain-based copyright fee collection technologies, build related policies and legal frameworks, seek opportunities to connect with the national digital currency, complete the system and prepare a digital copyright marketplace model, develop smart digital contracts, finalize digital copyright policies and legal frameworks as digital assets, and promote widespread use to bring benefits to authors.

Thus, with VIETRRO proactively embracing digital transformation and partnering with Tinhvan Group to build the Digital Library on blockchain technology, copyright infringement (reproduction rights) will be controlled and stopped; the legitimate rights and interests of authors will be ensured long-term and consistently in the future.

According to Vietnam Lawyers