1. Introduction
In a context where intellectual property (IP) is expanding in both scope and complexity, the ability to use legal English has become a core skill for all IP lawyers and practitioners. The project to develop the course “Legal English for Intellectual Property” is initiated by the Asoka Creative Experimentation Fund (ACEF), with the aim of equipping learners with the ability to read, analyze, communicate and draft IP-related documents in English accurately, clearly and professionally.

The course is suitable for those who are practicing in the field of intellectual property, from trademark, copyright and patent registration to legal advisory work, supporting businesses, working with international partners or handling files before WIPO.

2. Course objectives
The course is designed in line with international training standards for Legal English, focusing on improving:

• Ability to read and understand IP legal documents in English.
• Analytical skills and comparative reading of international legal instruments such as TRIPS, Berne, Paris and Madrid.
• Drafting skills for legal opinions, office action responses, IP contracts and filing documents.
• Specialized vocabulary in each area: trademarks, copyright, patents, industrial designs and trade secrets.
• Communication skills with foreign lawyers, international partners and WIPO examiners.
• Accuracy, logic and legal coherence in English legal writing.

The ultimate objective is to enable learners to confidently use English throughout the entire IP workflow, from receiving instructions to international communication.

3. Target participants

The course is specifically designed for:

1. IP lawyers and practitioners.

2. Trademark and copyright specialists in companies or law firms.
3. Professionals handling international applications through the Madrid system.
4. Individuals preparing to practice in the field of IP.
5. Law students who intend to specialize in intellectual property.

4. Proposed course content
 

The program is structured on practical grounds, closely linked to the daily work of IP lawyers and practitioners:

1. English for Trademarks:

• Vocabulary and structures commonly used in trademark applications;
• Ways to express grounds for refusal, Nice Classification and responses to amendment requests;
• Practical exercises in drafting advisory letters to clients.

2. English for Copyright:

• Legal concepts under the Berne Convention;
• Templates for copyright confirmation letters, assignment agreements and license agreements;
• Analysis of copyright disputes in English.

3. English for Patents and Industrial Designs:

• Common terminology in patent specifications and technical drawings;
• How to present technical arguments in legal English;
• Approaching and working with WIPO and USPTO materials.

4. Legal Drafting for IP Practice:

• Drafting IP licensing, assignment and cooperation agreements;
• How to draft clear clauses and avoid ambiguity and inaccuracy;
• Techniques for standardizing English legal writing.

5. IP Disputes and Enforcement

• Legal language used in disputes, warning letters and complaints;
• Analysis of enforcement practice in Vietnam and in other jurisdictions;
• How to build legal arguments in English.

All content is designed based on real data from the case system of the “Tuyển tập bản án Sở hữu trí tuệ Việt Nam” (Collection of Intellectual Property Cases in Vietnam, ACEF’s flagship project in 2026), practical IP experience and real situations that have been successfully handled by Asoka Law.

5. Training methods

• Learning through real-life case studies (case-based learning).

• Analyzing authentic samples from WIPO, USPTO, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam and international law firms.
• Writing practice with direct corrections based on Legal Writing standards.
• Group interaction and structured debate to train IP thinking in English.

6. Outcomes after completion

Learners will achieve:

• Confidence in communicating and working in English in the IP field.
• Skills in drafting legal opinions, responses, explanations, memos and IP contracts in English.
• Ability to read, understand and analyze international legal instruments and technical documents.
• Enhanced professional capability in international working environments.
• Greater competitive advantage when working in IP organizations, law firms or multinational enterprises.
• Contribution to the development of Vietnam’s public policy on intellectual property using internationally aligned IP legal English.

7. Lecturers and program developers

The course is developed by ACEF in collaboration with IP lawyers, experts and international lecturers. Based on more than fifteen years of practical experience, the program ensures high applicability and legal accuracy.

8. Information on sponsorship and funding for course development

The project is open to sponsorship proposals from institutes, universities, organizations and enterprises that are interested in education development and capacity building for Vietnamese human resources.

All cooperation proposals can be sent to: acef@asokalaw.vn with the subject line “LEGAL ENGLISH FOR IP COURSE” SPONSOR.

ACEF sincerely thanks you and looks forward to the participation of sponsors.