Hard to deal with fake motorcycles and spare parts

The seminar is held by VAMM

In the first ten months of 2022 alone, VAMM detected and coordinated with competent authorities to handle 292 cases of selling fake and counterfeit goods. In particular, seized more than 2,000 fake oil bottles, 950 units of brake pads, 300 units of air filters.

However, VAMM members believed that the cases handled by competent authorities are just the tip of the iceberg. For example, in 2021, 394 cases of counterfeit motorcycle and electric vehicle parts were detected and handled.

However, according to VAMM, it was estimated that there were 5,681 violating shops in the whole country.

The reality of counterfeit goods in the field of motorbikes and electric vehicles is not only a common problem of brand imitation, it but also counterfeit industrial designs, especially in the product line of 50cc motorcycles and electric motorbikes.

There are many fake goods and goods infringing intellectual property rights which are display for sale in the market, but it has not been handled.

A representative of VAMA confirmed that VAMM members have not imported and manufactured electric motorcycles and 50cc motorcycles in the Vietnam market yet. However, these models are borrowing the names of brands that are being sold openly at many large stores, even with a long-standing reputation.

Along with the development of e-commerce, the business of counterfeit goods is now expanding to e-commerce platforms. Just a quick lookup via Google or the search tools provided by the e-commerce exchange, and the results will pop up. It showed that motorcycle spare parts and equipment products which are labeled as famous brands of motorbike manufacturers in Vietnam such as Honda, Yamaha, Piaggio, Suzuki, SYM are listed for sale in a wide variety of prices, including many products counterfeiting brands of VAMM Association members.

Along with the problem of counterfeit goods, VAMM members also face difficulties in enforcing IP rights to trademarks and industrial designs that have been protected in Vietnam.

Currently, many parties use trademarks such as “Honda”, “Yamaha”, “Piaggio”, “Vespa”, without the consent of the right holder.

The infringement of industrial designs is also quite serious and public. Currently, many electric scooter models on the market have a similar industrial design compared to Piaggio's Vespa motorcycle. In addition, popular car models that have industrial design protection in Vietnam such as Honda's SH, etc. are also imitated.

In fact, fake goods, imitation goods, and poor quality goods appear in many essential parts such as brakes, lubricants, and helmets, affecting the safety of users, etc.

On the other hand, counterfeit goods greatly affect not only profits but also the reputation of genuine production and manufacturers, creating a negative impact on the investment of enterprises.

Consumers need to have the knowledge to identify counterfeit goods

Not only that, this problem also reduces Vietnam's investment environment ranking index, especially in the context that Vietnam has signed many prominent international trade agreements such as CPTTP, and EVFTA, in which IPR enforcement is always one of the important contents of the commitment.

Some recommendations have been made that counterfeit goods, specifically fake motorcycles, spare parts and accessories are one of the issues that need to pay more proper attention not only by the Association but also by the competent authorities, media agencies, manufacturers, traders in the field of motorcycles, motorcycle spare parts and consumers.

The seminar discussed and proposed many practical solutions, especially promoting the application of technology in the fight against counterfeit goods.