On August 25, 2021, Tu Ngoc Trinh, a senior associate in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Hanoi office and a key member of the firm’s franchising practice, spoke about legal issues related to the franchising model at a webinar called Franchising 101: The Ultimate Guide to How to Buy and Sell Franchises in Asia. Organized by VF Franchise Consulting and targeting new entrants to the franchising space, the webinar covered three general areas: (1) buying a franchise, (2) turning a business into a franchise, and (3) the legal framework for franchising. Tu handled the third segment and advised online attendees on the differing perspectives of franchisors and franchisees; legal issues to be aware of in franchising activities; and the do’s and don’ts of franchising from a legal perspective, offering practical examples from Vietnam and other Asian countries. The webinar is available to view online, free of charge, below.  

On August 12, Jay Cohen, partner and director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ office in Phnom Penh, spoke on recent legal developments in Cambodia in a webinar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. Titled “Cambodia’s Investment Law 2021,” the webinar focused on the country’s new draft Investment Law, which was unveiled in July 2021. The law encourages greater investment in Cambodia by aiming to increase the competitiveness and productivity of local industry, offering investment incentives, protecting investors’ rights and interests, and improving Cambodia’s ability to plug into regional and global supply chains. During the session, Jay and the other panelists discussed: The development of investment legislation in Cambodia; The anticipated impact of the Cambodian’s draft Investment Law; and Implications of the draft law for investors and the larger business community in Cambodia. The video is available below.

On May 27, Tilleke & Gibbins hosted a webinar titled “Madrid Protocol – Issues and Challenges in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam,” to provide global brand owners an overview of the key requirements and challenges of using the Madrid Protocol system for trademark applications in Southeast Asia. During the session, members of the firm’s regional intellectual property practice—Linh Thi Mai Nguyen, Michelle Ray-Jones, Rina Sinaga, Sokmean Chea, and Somboon Earterasarun—discussed local complexities that affect applications through the international trademark system, including: substantive examination procedures in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam; common Madrid Protocol application issues in each respective jurisdiction; and core differences between national and international trademark protection around Southeast Asia. As global brand owners confront a high rate of trademark application refusals in Southeast Asia, the speakers also offered practical techniques that Madrid applicants can implement to minimize this risk in their international applications. The webinar is now available to watch online, free of charge, below.  

On July 19, 2021, key members of Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property (IP) and regulatory affairs (RA) teams in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam grouped up to deliver a webinar entitled “Healthcare Product Branding – Trademark and Regulatory Concerns in Southeast Asia.” Presented by Atthachai Homhuan, director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ RA group, based in the firm’s Thailand office; Hien Thi Thu Vu, head of the firm’s RA group in Vietnam; Irene Djalim, manager of RA in the firm’s Indonesia practice; and Linh Thi Mai Nguyen, partner and head of trademarks in the firm’s Vietnam practice, the session was designed to provide practical tips and know-how that can used by healthcare companies when protecting their valuable products and IP in the region. During the session, the speakers led attendees through discussions on: The importance of trademark prosecution for healthcare products, as well as key trademark registration considerations in Southeast Asia; Critical Food and Drug Administration regulatory issues and limitations for product labeling, packaging, and registration; and Differing rules and regulations between the local Department of Intellectual Property and other government bodies regulating healthcare products in each country. The webinar is now available to watch online, free of charge, below.