Directive No. 04/1998/CT-TTg on measures to implement the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the United States of America on establishing copyright relations

DIRECTIVE
On measures to implement the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the United States of America on establishing relations regarding copyright
The Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the United States of America on establishing relations regarding copyright (hereinafter referred to as the Vietnam - USA Copyright Agreement) signed on June 27, 1997 has been approved by the Prime Minister on December 26, 1997 and will take effect at the time when the Parties exchange notifications of their readiness to assume the obligations under this Agreement. The signing of the Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of the United States on establishing relations regarding copyright aims to promote the process of normalizing economic and trade relations between Vietnam and the United States, strengthen the relationship of cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries, and contribute to creating a favorable environment for foreign investment and technology transfer.
The Vietnam - USA Copyright Agreement was signed and implemented against the backdrop of Vietnam having issued legal documents on intellectual property protection in general and copyright in particular, meeting the necessary requirements for protecting the rights of domestic and foreign authors.

To ensure strict compliance with international commitments on copyright protection under the Vietnam - USA Copyright Agreement, the Prime Minister instructs ministries, sectors, and localities to perform the following tasks well:

1. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall be responsible for:

- Coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to continue implementing guidance on the implementation of legal provisions on copyright; disseminating and introducing the Vietnam - USA Copyright Agreement; continuing negotiations with the U.S. side regarding technical assistance agreements for the implementation of this Agreement.

Taking the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice to draft and issue guiding documents for the implementation of the provisions of this Agreement no later than February 10, 1998 to promptly implement the Agreement immediately upon its entry into force.

- Strengthening the specialized organization managing copyright; training and enhancing the professional expertise of management staff both within and outside the sector related to this field.

- Coordinating with relevant sectors to organize inspections and checks on the implementation of the Agreement; promptly identifying and handling violations according to current Vietnamese laws.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall take the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture and Information, and related agencies to organize research on U.S. laws and practices in implementing laws on copyright; collecting and processing information related to the protection of Vietnamese citizens' copyrights in the United States.

3. The Ministry of Justice shall take the lead, coordinating with the Ministry of Culture and Information and other relevant ministries and sectors to plan training for related staff on copyright protection laws and procedures for handling cases related to copyright.

4. People's Committees at all levels shall direct functional agencies in their locality to carry out propaganda and education on copyright protection, organizing inspections and handling violations within their jurisdiction.

5. The Ministry of Culture and Information is assigned to guide, urge, and report on the results of implementing this Directive./.

4. The People's Committees at all levels shall direct the competent agencies of the locality to carry out propaganda and education work on the protection of copyright, organize inspections, and handle cases of violations within their jurisdiction.

5. Entrust the Ministry of Culture - Information to guide, urge, and report the results of implementing this Directive./.