Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Office in Geneva Le Thi Tuyet Mai on April 1 handed over the legal document marking the accession of Vietnam to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Performance and Phonograms Treaty, or WPPT, to the body’s General Director Daren Tang.

Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Office in Geneva Le Thi Tuyet Mai (l) and WIPO General Director Daren Tang. Source: VNA

The adherence of Vietnam to the deal would help further protect the rights of performers (actors, singers, musicians, etc.) and producers of phonograms (persons or legal entities that take the initiative and have the responsibility for the fixation of sounds) in the digital environment.

In addition, the move marked another step by Vietnam in fulfilling its commitments to next-generation trade deals that the country is a part of.

WIPO General Director Daren Tang welcomed Vietnam’s membership, noting the decision proved Vietnam’s strong commitments to the global system of intellectual property rights while laying the foundation for effective support for performers and producers of phonograms.

According to Tang, producers, and artists such as My Tam, Den Vau, or Son Tung M-TP have become an essential part of Vietnam’s economy, for which the innovation industry is taking a more prominent role in spearheading the economic growth.

Joining WPPT is expected to create more jobs and opportunities for the innovation industry to continue its development, Tang added.

For her part, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai hoped the country’s membership in the treaty would encourage the progress of the entertainment industry in Vietnam, especially the filming industry and performance activities.

On the sideline of the event, Mai held a meeting with WIPO General Director Daren Tang, Vice General Directors Sylvie Forbin, and Hasan Kleib to discuss the realization of steps agreed on the visit of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to  WIPO last November to boost bilateral cooperation.