KUCHING, March 22: From 2016 to 2021, the total number of intellectual property applications and filings received was 318,355 consisting of 129,348 local applications and 189,007 from foreign companies wishing to apply for registration in Malaysia.
According to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, of the total, 225,171 were registered, with 79,034 being local intellectual property and 146,137 from abroad based on statistics from the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
He said this in response to a question by Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session.
Earlier, Lawson also asked about the benefits of intellectual property registration.
“The owner has the exclusive right to create, sell, rent, or use intellectual property for commercial or business purposes and protection and enforcement under intellectual property legislation that allows the registered owner to take legal action over the misuse of their intellectual property without permission.
“Registration also provides added value in the owner’s business products to market the product abroad and is one of the conditions for obtaining business financing grants from the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lawson also asked about the ministry’s initiatives to raise awareness and boost the intellectual property industry in the country.
“My ministry through the MyIPO has organised 308 programmes from 2019 to January this year and provides online services and a helpdesk system.
“We have also cooperated with ministries, agencies, universities, stakeholders and intellectual property offices abroad in providing awareness to register and protect intellectual property.”
Nanta also explained that the MyIPO had taken initiatives such as conducting webinars, utilising social media and online advertisements, and the MyIPO Media Action Plan to disseminate information through portals, traditional media, and social media.
“Youth, students, and the local community are assisted by the provision of Intellectual Property Filing Fund (IP 2.0 Fund) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) with an allocation of RM4,000,000 from 2022 to 2025 to Malaysians aged 18 and above who meet the prescribed criteria.
“As of March 20, 2022, 538 applications have been received from Jan 1, 2022, and applications are expected to continue to increase until the closing date on June 30, 2022,” he said.
He added that declaring April 26 each year as National Intellectual Property Day (HHIN) aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting and respecting intellectual property rights, as well as providing a platform to recognise the contributions of creators and owners of local intellectual property through the organisation of the National Intellectual Property Award (AHIN). — DayakDaily
