MyIPO helps 11-year-old Maryam to patent her invention

PETALING JAYA: Schoolgirl Maryam Muzamir may get to patent her award-winning livestock feed "YAM 2.0" through Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said his ministry will be contributing to the cost of at least RM10,000 for filing the invention patent for the creation.

“MyIPO will begin an initial evaluation based on the latest information obtained regarding the innovation. This is necessary to increase the probability of YAM 2.0 being registered under the Patents Act 1983," Nanta said in a virtual session Thursday (Sept 30).

Also in attendance were the 11-year-old pupil of SK(P) Methodist Kuantan in Pahang, and her parents Dr Muzamir Hasan and Noor Nazihah Ma'amor.

One of the criteria for patent registration is for an innovation to be completely new in the world, including the invention process and its usability in the industry, before the patent is filed at MyIPO.

Maryam's breakthrough invention, which she named YAM 2.0, creates livestock feed from ground shrimp and sea snail shells.

The innovation not only won the Year Four student international awards but brought her fame on the US talk show The Late Late Show with James Corden where the host hailed her "absolutely incredible" idea of turning common food waste into a new sustainable livestock feed.

Having already bagged several awards locally for YAM 2.0, Maryam went on to clinch three awards at the recent International Invention Innovation Competition (iCAN) 2021 in Toronto, Canada; she won the gold medal, Canadian Special Award and Best Young Inventor Award.

She beat over 600 participants from more than 70 countries and was the youngest winner in the competition.

During the session, Nanta also congratulated Maryam on her iCan awards and encouraged other inventors to protect their innovations by registering under MyIPO.

“Patent protection can increase the value of an invention, and help owners generate income through commercialisation," he said.

Maryam said she was "very happy and proud, and thankful for the opportunity” to get a patent registration for Yam 2.0.

Dr Muzamir credited Maryam's teachers at SK(P) Methodist Kuantan with their support and encouragement in maximising his daughter’s potential.

Also present at the virtual session were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad and MyIPO assistant director-general (finance and administration) Yusnieza Syarmila Mohd Yusof.