In 1992, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP) refused a trade mark application due to its confusing similarity to the unregistered, but well-known, McDonald's trade mark of the US fast-food chain. This refusal was based merely on the reputation of the mark, as McDonald's – at the time – had not yet used or shown any intention to use the mark in Vietnam. This was the very first case involving a well-known mark in Vietnam.
