INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) COMMITTEE

The EUMCCI IPR Committee reviews IPR related matters with the Royal Malaysian Customs and with other relevant authorities. The committee is organising a regional IPR capacity building and exchange of best practices workshop, with the aim to reduce the amount of counterfeit goods entering Malaysia. It is also cooperating with the Royal Malaysian Customs and member companies by conducting specific product identification training workshops.
 

Head of the IPR Committee:  Ms Wong Jin Nee (Wong Jin Nee & Teo)

Deputy Head:  Mr Chew Phye Keat (Senior Partner, Raja, Darryl & Loh)

MINUTES:
For minutes from previous meetings, please check the archive here.

COMMITTEE NEWS:
The committee is organising a Panel Forum in conjunction with World IPR Day where the focus for this year is on promoting green innovation as the key to a secure future.

2010 position paper - Click here

Competition Act 2010 & competition Commission Act 2010 - Click here

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING:  15 September @ 10:00 am
VENUE:  Shearn Delamore Office

2010 EVENTS / ACTIVITIES:

MORE INFO:
The protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) has always been a crucial factor driving the decisions of Investors, especially in the knowledge-based businesses, thus influencing the economic growth of a country. For this reason, the Malaysian government is taking actions to strengthen and improve IPR protection.

Malaysia’s IP laws are generally in conformance with international standards and provide adequate protection to both local and foreign investors. Malaysia is a member of the following international treaties related to intellectual property rights protection:

• The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works 1886

• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property

• World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

• Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) signed under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Since 2006, Malaysia has been a member of the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT). Moreover, Malaysia is also committed to the process of harmonisation of IPR protection legal systems under the aegis of ASEAN. The main national laws for the implementation of IPR protection include:

• Trade Marks Act 1976

• Patents Act 1983

• Copyright Act 1987

• Industrial Designs Act 1996

• Layout Designs and Integration Circuit Act 2000

• Geographical Indications Act 2000

• Optical Disc Act 2000

• Trade Descriptions Act 1972

• Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia Act 2002

The Malaysian government launched the National Intellectual Property Policy (NIPP) on the 27th April, 2007 with the goal of harnessing IP as a new engine of growth for the enhancement of economic and social prosperity. Supporting the NIPP is a budget of the National IP Fund amounting to RM5 billion to be utilised over the next five years, and it will serve to implement the various policies envisaged by the NIPP and support the Intellectual Property Courts, which were officially incepted in July 2007 to speed up the handling of IP cases. The establishment of an IP Court shows the Malaysia government’s commitment to accord the highest standard of protection for IP rights.

The main agency dealing with IPR protection and enforcement in Malaysia is the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) working closely with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), the nation’s IP custodian. MyIPO’s main functions include administrating, regulating IP laws and advising and updating the IP laws. It also plays a role in enabling and facilitating the IP registration process.

The Enforcement Division of MDTCA is responsible, among others, for the enforcement of IP laws such as the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 and Copyright Act 1987 for offences relating to counterfeiting and piracy.

In 2007 there was a consistent growth of patent registration in Asia. In Malaysia, there was a 70% growth (from 60 to 103) in the number of patents that have gone through international filing. Patent examiners have been recruited to enhance the patent filing procedures.

In order to improve their skills, MyIPO has signed MoUs with several international universities in order to provide training and experience. Sound IP infrastructure is one of the key factors encouraging foreign investment, and Malaysia is taking important steps for improving this area.

Report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights - results at the European Border - 2008 

[ July 2009 ]

THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: