At-a-glance:
Intellectual Corporation of Malaysia
Unit 1-7, Ground Floor, Menara UOA Bangsar, No. 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 2299 8400, Fax: +603 2299 8989
Email: ipmalaysia@myipo.gov.my
Website: www.myipo.gov.my
Most...
[more]
At-a-glance:
Intellectual Corporation of Malaysia
Unit 1-7, Ground Floor, Menara UOA Bangsar, No. 5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 2299 8400,
Fax: +603 2299 8989
Email: ipmalaysia@myipo.gov.my
Website: www.myipo.gov.my
Most Malaysian IP law firms reported an increase in patent and trade mark filings last year. According to figures from the Malaysian IP Office (MyIPO), patent applications increased by 7.1% and patents granted increased by 4.5%. Trade mark applications and registered increased by 10.5% and 9.5% respectively.
While Malaysia awaits accession to the Madrid Protocol, other changes were made to the Industrial Designs Regulations and the Copyright Act. One lawyer says "it is likely to be the end of 2013 for the Madrid Protocol", while another lawyer believes "it is all talk and nothing has been put into action yet". Malaysia will be holding an election in the first quarter of 2013, so another lawyer commented that it would not be a surprise if IP law takes on a lower priority: "The speed at which some of the changes will be implemented will most likely be determined after the 2013 election." Under the current arrangements, 2015 is the absolute latest for Malaysia to join Madrid.
MyIPO is also promoting IP securitisation, where intellectual property is used in financial transactions in the form of a charge, mortgage or collateral. To further this, MyIPO is working to encourage understanding of the value of intellectual property and its potential as a financial instrument. However, this would rely heavily on the soundness of Malaysia's financial system as well as adopting an appropriate pricing model.
In addition, Malaysia is preparing for the accession to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
Legislation passed last year also brought about some procedural changes. The Copyright Act was amended on June 1 2012 with the adoption of the Voluntary Notification of Copyright Regulation, which gives copyright owners more tangible protection by depositing a copy of the work eligible for copyright with MyIPO. Furthermore, amendments to the Industrial Designs Regulations brought about an increase in prescribed fees, procedural changes and the introduction of electronic filing of applications effective February 15 2012.
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