Services Provided

Trademark Registration

Trademark registration service submitted by lawyers

Trademark Transfer

Providing trademark transfer services

Overview of Malaysia Trademark Registration

The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is responsible for trademark registration management. Registered trademarks are valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed indefinitely. Once registered, they are fully protected under the Malaysia Trademark Act 1976.

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Legal Protection

After successful registration, you will obtain exclusive rights throughout Malaysia and can legally prevent infringement, including trademark infringements on e-commerce platforms (such as Shopee and Lazada).

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Registration Period

Under smooth circumstances, the entire registration process takes about 6-9 months, including key stages such as formal examination, substantive examination, publication, and approval, which is shorter than in other Southeast Asian countries.

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International Connectivity

Malaysia is a member of the Madrid System and allows international trademark protection applications through the Madrid Protocol, covering the Malaysian market without the need to submit a separate application.

Trademark Registration Process

Trademark registration in Malaysia follows the Trademarks Act 1976 and MyIPO examination rules. The standardized application steps are as follows:

1. Trademark Search

Search the MyIPO database to assess the registrability of the trademark, avoid conflicts with prior trademarks, and reduce the risk of rejection. Malaysia uses the 11th edition of the Nice Classification.

2. Submit Application

Prepare complete application materials and submit the registration application to MyIPO, paying the official fees. Receive the application receipt and application number within 1-2 working days.

3. Formal Examination

MyIPO examines the completeness and compliance of the application documents. If requirements are not met, corrections must be made within the specified period, usually 2 months.

4. Substantive Examination

Examine the distinctiveness, legality of the trademark, and whether it is similar to prior trademarks. The examination period is about 3-4 months.

5. Publication and Opposition

The trademark is published in the Malaysian official trademark gazette for 2 months, during which any interested party may file an opposition. If no opposition is raised, the trademark is approved for registration.

6. Certificate Issuance

After completing all examination processes, MyIPO issues the trademark registration certificate, and the trademark becomes officially effective, with a validity of 10 years.

Required Materials for Registration

Prepare the following materials to speed up the trademark registration process and ensure smooth application:

🧑‍💼 Applicant Information

✅ Individual application: notarized copy of passport
✅ Company application: notarized copy of business license/company registration certificate
✅ Applicant address and contact information (Malaysian local address preferred)

📋 Trademark Related Materials

✅ Trademark image (clear electronic version, JPG/PNG format, resolution ≥ 300dpi)
✅ List of goods/services (accurately filled according to the 11th edition of the Nice Classification)
✅ Trademark use declaration (if already used in Malaysia, provide proof of use)

📄 Other Documents

✅ Power of Attorney (must be notarized by a Malaysian lawyer, mandatory for non-Malaysian applicants)
✅ Priority Documentation (if claiming priority, must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date)
✅ Malay/English translations of foreign documents (notarized)
✅ Trademark Intent-to-Use Declaration (required if the trademark is not yet in use)

Frequently Asked Questions

Answering your common questions about Malaysian trademark registration

Yes, Malaysian law requires that non-Malaysian residents or companies not registered in Malaysia must appoint a local intellectual property agent to apply for trademark registration. Local agents are familiar with MyIPO’s examination rules and Malay language communication requirements, which can effectively increase the success rate of registration.

Yes. If a trademark application is rejected by MyIPO, the applicant can request a review within 30 days of receiving the rejection notice and submit relevant evidence and reasons. If the review is still rejected, an appeal can be filed with the Malaysian High Court.

Yes. Malaysian trademark law stipulates that if a registered trademark is not in actual use in Malaysia for three consecutive years after registration, any interested party may request cancellation of the trademark (non-use cancellation). Therefore, after registration, the trademark should be actively used in Malaysia, and complete evidence of use (such as sales receipts, promotional materials, etc.) should be retained.

A Malaysian trademark is valid for 10 years. Renewal applications must be submitted within 12 months before the expiration date, with a grace period of 6 months after expiration (subject to additional late fees). Evidence of use is not required for renewal; only the renewal application and payment of official fees are necessary. Each renewal extends the validity for 10 years, and renewals can be made indefinitely.

Yes. Malaysia allows registration of Chinese trademarks, but a Malay/English translation must be provided to clarify the meaning and pronunciation of the trademark. Purely graphical trademarks do not require translation, but the graphic must be distinctive and must not violate Malaysian public order and morals.

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Malaysia Trademark Registration