KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21: The Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has allocated RM2 million to implement the trademark, industrial design, geographical indication and copyrights registration programme for the people of this country, especially students.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), KPDN Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said free registration is given to students who want to register their invention copyrights through the ‘Payung Rahmah’ initiative.
“If the payment is according to the standard, some would be charged up to tens of thousands of ringgit, unlike this initiative where we provide free registration.
“We have held nine programmes involving 1,690 students and youth, including Intellectual Property (IP) Summer Camp, IP Small Entrepreneur Programme, IP Literacy Programme and IP Literate Youth Programme,” he said in response to Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu during a question-and-answer session in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
In the meantime, Salahuddin said the exposure of IP facilities for Sabah and Sarawak students would also be discussed with other ministries, especially the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to ensure that there is no mismatch.
“We want no more ‘mismatch’ where students come out of university, but it doesn’t match their interests.
“Registering their copyrights will produce entrepreneurs who will have a high impact on our country.
“So, with that, the KPDN will continue to collaborate with other ministries so that students can be provided with knowledge and appreciate every piece of work they produce and register,” he explained. — DayakDaily
