Asia Pacific

Malaysia

Patent system, trademark registration, annuity management, and renewals in Malaysia.

Authority

MyIPO

PCT

30 mo

Madrid

Member

MyIPO Patent Search

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Before You Start

Before filing or quoting, you'll typically confirm these first

1
Whether to pursue the Paris route, PCT national phase, or start with trademark registration in Malaysia
2
Which of patent filing, trademark registration, annuity, or renewal is the most urgent priority
3
Whether to verify the official portal, search system, and key deadlines before moving to a quote or engagement

The sections below cover each module — use the navigation to jump directly to what you need.

Patent System & Process

Patent System in Malaysia

Malaysian patents are administered by MyIPO (Malaysia Intellectual Property Corporation), with a 20-year term from the filing date. Malaysia also offers a "Utility Certificate" (no substantive examination; 10-year term). Malaysia is a PCT member with a 30-month national phase deadline. Applications may be filed in English or Malay. Malaysia joined the Madrid Protocol in 2019.

Patent Types: Patent and Utility Certificate ▾

**Patent:** - Term: 20 years from filing - Requires substantive examination (examination request within 4 years) - Covers product and process inventions **Utility Certificate (UC):** - Term: 10 years from filing - No substantive examination; formal examination only; grants in ~6–12 months - Covers shapes/structures of tangible articles only — methods not covered - A patent application may be "converted" to a utility certificate before grant

Source: Malaysia Patents Act 1983; MyIPO guidelines

PCT National Phase Entry — Malaysia ▾

- Deadline: **30 months** from the priority date - Filed in English or Malay - National phase entry fees apply - After entry, an examination request must be filed within 4 years of the filing date

Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide — MY; Malaysia Patents Act

Examination Request and Timeline ▾

An examination request for an invention patent must be filed within 4 years of the filing date, or the application is deemed abandoned. MyIPO has PPH agreements with major patent offices for accelerated examination. Overall prosecution time is typically 3–6 years.

Source: Malaysia Patents Act; MyIPO examination guidelines

Madrid System (Joined 2019) ▾

Malaysia joined the Madrid Protocol in January 2019. International applications can designate Malaysia. MyIPO examines under Malaysian national law (same as direct applications; English or Malay).

Source: WIPO Madrid — MY; Malaysia Trade Marks Act

Trademark System & Process

Trademark System in Malaysia

Malaysian trademarks are administered by MyIPO under a first-to-file system. Registrations are valid for 10 years from the registration date, renewable indefinitely. Malaysia joined the Madrid Protocol in 2019. Applications may be filed in English or Malay.

Trademark Examination Process ▾

MyIPO trademark examination: formal review → substantive examination (absolute and relative grounds) → publication (2 months) → registration. Typical timeline: ~12–24 months (without opposition).

Source: Malaysia Trade Marks Act 2019; MyIPO guidelines

Term and Renewal ▾

Malaysian trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from the registration date, renewable in 10-year increments indefinitely.

Source: Malaysia Trade Marks Act 2019

Patent Annuity

Malaysia Patent Annuities

Malaysian patents require annual fees from year 2 of the filing date, continuing until expiry (20 years). Utility certificates also require annual fees. A late payment grace period applies with a surcharge.

Source: Malaysia Patents Act; MyIPO fee schedule

Annuity Reference → Managed Annuities

Trademark Renewal

Malaysia Trademark Renewals

Malaysian trademark: 10 years from registration; 10-year renewals. File before expiry; late renewal incurs a surcharge.

Source: Malaysia Trade Marks Act 2019

Renewal Reference → Managed Renewals

FAQ

Common Questions — Malaysia IP

What is the examination request deadline for Malaysian patents? ▾

4 years from the filing date (or PCT international filing date). Failure to file results in abandonment.

When did Malaysia join the Madrid System? ▾

Malaysia joined the Madrid Protocol in January 2019. Prior to that, direct MyIPO filing was required.

What is Malaysia's Utility Certificate? ▾

The Utility Certificate (UC) is Malaysia's small patent: no substantive examination; grants in ~6–12 months; 10-year term; covers shapes/structures of tangible articles only (not methods). Suitable when fast protection credentials are needed.

Official Reference Sources

Sources for This Page

MyIPO Official Website www.myipo.gov.my WIPO PCT Guide — MY www.wipo.int/pct/en/appguide/ WIPO Madrid — MY Member Info www.wipo.int/madrid/en/members/

Content based on official sources above, last reviewed: 2026-04. In case of discrepancy with the latest official publications, official sources prevail.

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