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Vietnam: Protecting computer software under patent law: Is it easy?

Many Vietnamese businesses are still wrestling with the question of whether to protect computer programs’ intellectual property rights (IP) as copyright or patent. This decision could lead to completely different ways of commercializing, enforcing and protecting intellectual property rights associated with computer programs.

New guidelines on protection for AI-assisted patent in US

Determining the authorship of inventions (inventors) created with AI assistance has been a contentious issue in recent years. However, light is gradually emerging, though it is clear that this is not yet the end of the tunnel. In the case of Thaler v. Vidal, 43 F.4th 1207 (Fed. Cir. 2022), the Federal Circuit upheld the decisions made by the USPTO to reject two petitions seeking to designate an AI system as an inventor.

Mazars Vietnam Newsletter - April 2024

On March 29, 2024, Vietnam Social Insurance issued Official Letter No. 862/BHXH-TST guiding certain the implementation the Social Insurance (SI) Agreement between Vietnam and South Korea.

Vietnam: Implementation Plan of the National Power Development Master Plan for the 2021-2030 Period

In this update: 1) Enhanced Investment Incentives and Support in High-Tech Parks, 2) Implementation Plan of the National Power Development Master Plan for the 2021-2030 Period

Vietnam: Some issues related to the training, improvement, and skill enhancement of employees under the labour code

The training, improvement, and enhancement of skills for employees has become more necessary than ever. Training and development for employees is among the important provisions recognized in the Labor Code 2019. In this article, the author will present some relevant content regarding vocational training for employees according to the current legal regulations.

Vietnam's Fintech Sandbox Mechanism Updated Draft Decree

The Government of Vietnam has recently published an updated draft of the Decree on Fintech Sandbox Mechanism in the banking sector proposing several amendments to the previous draft published on 1 April 2022.

Malaysia: Proposed Amendments to the Income Tax Act 1967 and Labuan Business Activity Tax Act 1990

On 26 March 2024, the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024 were passed. Both Bills introduce amendments in relation to e-invoicing, with the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024 proposing additional amendments on capital gains tax and tax payable. This legal alert sets out the key amendments introduced by the Bills.

Thailand: Virtual Banking in Thai Financial Services

On March 4, 2024, the Minister of Ministry of Finance (“MOF”) issued a new regulation through the Notification of Ministry of Finance re: Criteria, Methods and Conditions for Application For and Issuance of Virtual Bank License (“Virtual Banking Notification”), which came into effect on March 20, 2024.

Vietnam project financing guide

In Vietnam, project financing has most commonly been used to finance power and infrastructure projects. There is no consolidated legal framework that governs project finance activities in Vietnam. In this guide, we examine project financing, highlighting critical legal and commercial considerations from the standpoint of foreign lenders and sponsors.

Malaysia: Keeping up with Growing Cyber Threats and Intrusions – Malaysia’s Cyber Security Bill 2024

Vietnam: Rising Cybersecurity Concerns in Vietnam Prompt Prime Ministerial Directive

Government agencies assess that hackers continue targeting critical entities with increasingly sophisticated methods. These hacks have the potential to disrupt entire operations, and transactions, making sensitive data irrecoverable once it falls into the hands of hackers. Given this situation, on 8 April 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued a directive requesting ministries, sectoral, and local government agencies to review and assess the current cybersecurity situation.

Vietnam: Technical Update - April 2024

This technical update covers: Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP on the Law on Medical examination and treatment. decree No. 10/2024/ND-CP regulating high-tech zones, circular No. 22/2023/TT-NHNN on the State Bank of Vietnam amending Circular No. 41/2016/TT-NHNN on capital adequacy ratios, and others.

Vietnam: New draft regulations on electricity generation tariffs and model power purchase agreements

In this Insight we: 1) provide an overview of regulations on the electricity generation tariff, 2) recap the key principles of the pricing mechanism, 3) explain the key changes under the draft circular on determining electricity generation tariffs and power purchase agreements; and 4) outline the considerations and actions Government still needs to take.

Cambodia: IP Protection

Strong IP protection is essential for encouraging local and international businesses to invest in research and development, knowing that their creations and innovation will be safeguarded. This article all forms of IP protection in Cambodia.

Vietnam: Key insights into draft Electricity Law and PDP8 Implementation Plan

In a significant step towards strengthening Vietnam's power security, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has released a draft amendment to the Electricity Law. In this Insight, we unpack key new provisions affecting offshore wind projects in the Electricity Law Draft and PDP8 IP.

Malaysia Legal Alert: Updates to the Beneficial Ownership Reporting Framework

As of 1 April 2024, the provisions concerning beneficial ownership reporting, as outlined in the amendments to the Companies Act 2016 through the Companies (Amendment) Act 2024*, have come into effect. The following provides an overview of the updated reporting framework.

Cambodia: Environmental Trusts Under The Coe of Environment and Natural Resources

An Environmental Trust was introduced by the Code of Environment and Natural Resources promulgated in 2023. The purpose of an ET is to encourage environmental protection, sustainability, and conservation. The implementation of ETs will commence from the beginning of July 2024.

Myanmar: Key Changes under the SAC’s 2024 Union Tax Law

On 29 March 2024, the State Administration Council (“SAC”) enacted the Union Taxation Law 2024 (Law No. 23/2024 or “2024 UTL”), which clarifies the tax rates and procedures for income tax, commercial tax, specific goods tax, and gemstone tax in Myanmar. The law is effective on 1 April 2024 or the start of the financial year 2024-2025.

Vietnam: Land Law 2024 – Some Takeaways For Vietnamese Residing Overseas

This article provides some highlights of the land use scheme applicable to these two groups of land users: (i) Vietnamese citizens and (ii) persons of Vietnamese origin.

Vietnam: Significant Amendments Of Law On Tendering 2023

On 23 June 2023, the National Assembly adopted the new Law on Tendering effective from 1 January 2024. In an effort to foster a more competitive market, the Law on Tendering 2023 introduces significant amendments regarding the scope of application, methods, and procedures for selecting tenderers and investors. This post will summarize some notable changes in the Law on Tendering 2023.