FAQ: Research Patent

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.