Vietnamese Press Faces Rising Challenges in Copyright Protection Amid AI and Social Media Growth

The surge of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the proliferation of social networking platforms have presented significant challenges to the Vietnamese press regarding copyright protection. Many social media sites and online information channels, which are not official press agencies, frequently repost news articles, images, and videos originally produced by mainstream newspapers without authorization.

Despite not investing in content creation, these platforms attract substantial user engagement, generate advertising revenue, and capitalize on the labor and intellectual property of legitimate press agencies. This practice raises serious concerns about copyright infringement and the exploitation of journalistic works.

Hoang Ha, a lawyer affiliated with the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, told Lao Dong Newspaper that the unauthorized reposting of original articles, images, and reportage clips by social networking sites to drive interaction and advertising revenue constitutes a violation of copyright and related rights. He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and have been a persistent issue in Vietnam since the advent of social networks.

Lawyer Hoang Ha further explained that protecting the copyright of journalistic works should be integral to managing journalistic assets rather than merely addressing infringements after they occur. Journalistic works—including articles, images, videos, reports, graphic data, and radio and television programs—are intellectual property with economic value protected under Vietnam’s Law on Intellectual Property and Law on Press.

Press agencies are urged to adopt a proactive stance by clearly identifying authorship, ownership, publication dates, and exploitation scope for each work. When infringements occur, responses should extend beyond simple requests for content removal. Agencies should compile comprehensive dossiers documenting violations, including links, posting times, copied content, interaction metrics, advertising details, beneficiary accounts, and potential damages.

Hoang Ha advocates for press organizations to establish dedicated departments or focal points responsible for monitoring digital platforms for copyright violations. These units would issue removal requests, seek to lock repeat offender accounts, and propose administrative sanctions pursuant to Decree 341/2025/ND-CP.

For entities that systematically appropriate press content to attract views and generate revenue, press agencies should not hesitate to initiate civil lawsuits demanding compensation. They may also refer cases to law enforcement authorities to investigate potential criminal copyright infringement under Article 225 of the 2015 Penal Code, especially when violations occur on a commercial scale, involve illicit profits, or cause significant damage.

"The press must manage, prove, pursue, and ensure thorough handling of copyright infringements," Hoang Ha stated. "Only when press agencies regard copyrights as tangible assets will the digital content market gradually become more disciplined."

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, a specialized member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Society, shared similar views with Lao Dong Newspaper. He noted that protecting press copyright transcends individual editorial offices and has become essential for maintaining fairness in the information environment, safeguarding creative labor, and supporting the healthy development of journalism.

Dr. Son emphasized that journalistic works represent more than mere text or videos posted online; they embody the efforts of reporters, editors, and technicians who invest significant time and intellectual resources. Journalists also bear social responsibilities through their agencies. Unauthorized copying and exploitation of press content without permission, source citation, or benefit sharing directly infringe on the legitimate rights of journalists and press organizations.

He stressed that press agencies themselves bear primary responsibility for copyright and intellectual property protection. In the digital era, the press must move beyond reactive responses to violations and actively manage their intellectual property.

"Content must be treated as assets, data as resources, brands as value, and copyright as a vital condition for editorial offices to survive in an increasingly competitive environment," Dr. Son said.

He called for press agencies to develop systematic copyright management strategies encompassing ownership registration, content usage monitoring, violation detection, and enforcement of protection measures. Internal regulations on content reuse, data sharing, and cooperation with digital platforms are also necessary.

Importantly, Dr. Son highlighted that the press should lead by example in respecting intellectual property rights, complying with regulations on using information sources, images, and data from other organizations and individuals.

"Copyright protection is not only about safeguarding economic interests but also about preserving the value of creative labor, professional reputation, and public trust in the mainstream press," he concluded.

The evolving digital landscape, marked by the rise of social networks and AI, continues to complicate intellectual property rights enforcement in journalism. Press agencies in Vietnam face mounting pressure to adapt and strengthen their copyright protection frameworks to address these complex challenges effectively.