JOHOR BARU: Only 10% of local small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have registered their brands and products with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
MyIPO chairman Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain said that there has been a steady increase of individuals applying to patent their products and brands under intellectual property within the last six years.
“In 2023, there are 61,600 applications to pattern products under MyIPO with over 45,00 of them have been successfully registered with us.
“Last year, we received a total of 65,660 applications with 51,591 being registered,” he said when met after attending the MyIPO at Heart programme held at Masjid Taman Pulai Indah here on Saturday (Feb 1).
Zuhan added that despite the positive numbers, only 10% of SMEs nationwide have registered their products including logos with MyIPO.
“The number of SMEs that have patented their products and brands with MyIPO is quite small as there are more than 200,000 local entrepreneurs all over Malaysia.
“We have set a target of getting 70,000 individuals including SMEs to register with MyIPO this year to protect their products and brands,” he said.
Zuhan also said that they would be working closely with state governments nationwide to get more people to register with MyIPO.
He added that there must be an awareness, especially among local entrepreneurs to protect their products and brands from being infringed by irresponsible quarters.
“Education is key as some still do not know the importance of registering with MyIPO. It is important that before starting their business, SMEs must have a copyright to their products.
“Once they have already registered with MyIPO for their product, brand and even logo, action can be taken against anyone that makes counterfeit goods,” he said.
