The following frequently asked questions are common among those contemplating University of Malaya (UM). This page provides answers to these questions and provides links to useful UM websites that provide additional answers.
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem.
A utility innovation is an exclusive right granted for a "minor" invention which does not require to satisfy the test of inventiveness as required of a patent.
Any person may make an application for a patent or for a utility innovation either alone or jointly with another person. The word "person" is not limited to natural persons and thus also includes, for example, a company.
An applicant must file a patent or utility innovation application with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia which will assess whether it meets the requirements of the Patents Act 1983.
A patent or utility innovation protection gives the owner of the patent/utility innovation the exclusive right to stop others from manufacturing, using and/or selling the owner's invention in Malaysia without the owner's consent or permission.
A patent is protected 20 years from the date of filing and a utility innovation is protected 10 + 5 + 5 years from the date of filing subject to use.
An applicant must file a patent or utility innovation application with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), in Kuala Lumpur or at one of the branch offices located in Sabah and Sarawak.