Decree No. 159/2004/ND-CP dated August 31, 2004 of the Government on scientific and technological information activities

THE GOVERNMENT --------------	SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom – Happiness --------------
No. 159/2004/ND-CP	Hanoi, August 31, 2004

DECREE

ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION ACTIVITIES

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the June 9, 2000 Law on Science and Technology;

Pursuant to the December 28, 1989 Press Law and the June 12, 1999 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Press Law;

At the proposal of the Science and Technology Minister,

DECREES:

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.- Scope and subjects of regulation

This Decree prescribes scientific and technological information activities of the following subjects:

1. Vietnamese organizations and individuals that conduct scientific and technological information activities in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Foreign organizations and individuals, overseas Vietnamese that conduct scientific and technological information activities in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In cases where an international agreement which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has signed or acceded to contains provisions different from those of this Decree, such international agreement shall apply.

Article 2.- Interpretation of terms

In this Decree, the following words and phrases are construed as follows:

1. "Scientific and technological information" means data, figures, facts, news and knowledge about sciences and technologies (including natural sciences, technological science, social sciences and humanities), which are created, managed and used for providing public services, serving the State management or meeting demands of organizations and individuals in the society.

2. "Scientific and technological information activities" mean professional activities of seeking, gathering, processing, storing and popularizing scientific and technological information; and other activities directly related to, and in service of, professional scientific and technological information activities.