Protecting IP rights: Armizan (right) with MyIPO chairman Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain (second right) visiting one of the booths at the event in Petaling Jaya. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Free preliminary advice and search on trademarks with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is available until May 23, said Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said the fee waiver, which started from April 24, is aimed at encouraging more trademark registrations and ensuring entrepreneurs’ intellectual property (IP) rights are protected.
“Entrepreneurs can take this opportunity to conduct logo and business brand checks for free, so that trademarks can be registered quickly without going through objections,” he said at the National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 yesterday.
The fee usually costs RM250 but for this one month, it will be free.
According to Armizan, intellectual property applications have been on the rise since last year.
“MyIPO has received 61,600 IP applications compared with 59,699 during the same period in 2022.
“Of this total, 21,490 are local IP applications – an increase of 7.8% compared with the year before,” he said.
In addition, Armizan announced projects to strengthen the international presence of Malaysian IP.
MyIPO, he said, was selected by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) to head the Agriculture 4.0 project in Asean.
“The project is aimed at enhancing expertise and the use of artificial intelligence in the agricultural sector.
“MyIPO is currently seeking companies endorsed by Wipo to be involved in this project,” he added.
For local entrepreneurs, Armizan said Malaysia has also been selected for the first phase of the IP Management Clinic Programme by Wipo.
The programme, he said, focuses on helping small and medium enterprises as well as startups to expand into international markets with commercial IP.
“The programme will be held in two strategic locations, with 40 entrepreneurs in Kuala Lumpur and 20 in Kota Kinabalu,” he added.
The awards, held to commemorate National Intellectual Property Day, recognised achievements by Malaysians in generating IP that benefits the public and the country.
Nominees in five categories – individuals, private companies, multinational corporations, government agencies as well as secondary schools and higher education institutions – were awarded for their ingenious innovations.
Armizan said MyIPO received 260 entries, with the highest award offering RM30,000.
“Through this recognition, MyIPO hopes to encourage local creators and innovators to continue producing meaningful innovations for the country’s progress,” he said.
He added that he was glad to see a school from Sabah, SMK Kalabakan Tawau, among the finalists of one of the award categories.
“It shows that our efforts to cultivate IP interest has reached rural and remote areas,” he said, adding that interest in innovation is not limited by geographical location.
