Thomas J. Treutler, managing director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ Vietnam offices, was interviewed by Managing Intellectual Property  for the magazine’s feature “The ABC of the TPP,” a country-by-country look at how the IP provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will affect each of its signatories.

Asked to comment on the TPP’s expected impact on Vietnam, Thomas shared that anticipated changes in the pharmaceutical sector, such as the introduction of patent term extension, data protection for biologics, and patent linkage, would be welcomed by innovator companies, and that “their only concern is likely to be that they would want them sooner.”

With regard to the expected improvements under the TPP in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, Thomas mentioned, “It is often brought up in seminars that the [existing] criminal provisions are very difficult to apply. Certain sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and software, would like to see more criminal prosecutions.”

Managing Intellectual Property  is a leading intellectual property-focused magazine that covers the latest developments in IP law. If you would like to read the entire feature on the TPP, please visit the Managing IP website (subscription required).