# Categories of works protected by copyright

Source: https://luatbanquyen.com/en/copyright/protected-categories-of-works · Updated: 2026-08-17 · Reviewed: 2026-08-17

The categories of works under Article 14 of the IP Law and Decree 17/2023 — and why picking the right one determines your registration fee.

Article 14 of the IP Law lists the categories of protected works, and Decree 17/2023/ND-CP defines each in detail. Getting the category right is not mere paperwork: it determines your registration fee and the form of the copy you must file.

## The categories

**Literary and scientific works, textbooks, curricula and other works** expressed in writing or other characters — the broadest group, covering novels, research papers, technical documentation and website content.

**Lectures, speeches and other addresses** — works expressed in spoken language, which must be fixed in a material form. Note the fixation requirement: an improvised lecture with no recording and no notes has nothing to protect.

**Journalistic works** — self-contained pieces including reportage, news briefs, interviews, investigations and commentary, for print, radio, television or electronic media.

**Musical works** — expressed in musical notation, regardless of whether they are performed.

**Dramatic works** — the performing arts: cheo, tuong, cai luong, dance, puppetry, ballet, spoken drama, opera, musical theatre, circus, comedy and other performance forms.

**Cinematographic works** — works expressed through successive moving images, with or without sound, following the principles of cinematic language.

**Works of fine art** — expressed through line, colour, form and composition: painting, graphics, sculpture, installation art and other contemporary forms.

**Works of applied art** — artistic works attached to a functional product. Logos, packaging and decorative product patterns usually fall here.

**Photographic works**, **architectural works**, and **plans, sketches, maps and drawings** relating to topography, architecture or scientific works.

**Folklore and folk art works**.

**Computer programs and data collections** — protected as literary works, whether expressed in source or object code.

## Why the category drives the cost

The fee schedule in Circular 211/2016/TT-BTC is tied directly to the category, ranging from VND 100,000 (literary, scientific, journalistic, musical, photographic) through VND 300,000 (architecture, maps and drawings), VND 400,000 (fine and applied art), VND 500,000 (cinema, fixed dramatic works) up to VND 600,000 for computer programs and data collections — a sixfold spread. Re-issuance costs 50% of the original.

## Two frequently misclassified cases

**Logos.** For copyright purposes a logo is usually registered as a **work of applied art** (VND 400,000). But that registration only confirms you own the artwork; it gives no exclusivity over the sign in trade. Commercial exclusivity requires a trademark registration at the IP Office.

**Software.** Computer programs attract the highest fee in the schedule (VND 600,000) and must be filed with source or object code plus a description. Declaring software as a "scientific work" to pay VND 100,000 risks having the dossier returned — and if granted, a certificate that names the wrong category, which causes problems when you need it as evidence.

## The universal condition: fixation

Whatever the category, a work is protected only once expressed in a material form. That is the boundary between an idea and a work.

## Cited documents

- [Decree 17/2023/ND-CP detailing the Law on Intellectual Property regarding copyright and related rights](/en/legal-documents/decree-17-2023-copyright) — Partly in force
- [Circular 211/2016/TT-BTC on copyright and related rights registration fees](/en/legal-documents/circular-211-2016-copyright-fees) — In force

## Sources

- [Government Newspaper — categories of works protected by copyright](https://baochinhphu.vn/cac-loai-hinh-tac-pham-duoc-bao-ho-quyen-tac-gia-102230504174823218.htm) (17/2023/NĐ-CP)
- [Circular 211/2016/TT-BTC — fee schedule by category of work](https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=188434) (211/2016/TT-BTC)

- Next: [What copyright does not protect](/en/copyright/what-copyright-does-not-protect)

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Reference material only; it does not replace legal advice on a specific matter.