Malaysia Trademark Registration Guide: Process, Timeline & Costs

After incorporating your company, you can proceed to trademark your company’s logo or symbol. One of the reasons to trademark your logo or symbol is to ensure that other brands do not have the rights to your brand identity. Any similar brand icons could potentially be damaging to your business, should that company have an unfavourable reputation.

This article will provide a guide on your Malaysia trademark registration which covers the process, timeline, and associated costs.

A trademark is a symbol which serves to differentiate the goods or services created or offered by one business from those of other firms. There is no requirement for any business to begin using a trademark at any time.

However, the registration of a trademark is very much advised because such registration provides distinct benefits beyond those gained by those who have not undergone the process of trademark registration.

They therefore serve to establish the image and reputation of the goods of the business. This would then lead to consumers developing an attachment to certain brands based on several desired qualities and characteristics embodied in those trademarks.

Trademarks also provide an opportunity for businesses to continuously preserve, improve, and enhance of the quality of their products in order to maintain the positive reputation of items bearing the company’s name.

Due to the value and importance of a trademark in determining the market success of a product, it is essential for every company in Malaysia to ensure that all trademarks related to the company have been registered accordingly.

Selecting a suitable trademark is crucial because a trademark is an important element in the marketing strategy of any company. Before registering a trademark, however, there are several points to note as per the Malaysian Trademark Act 2019. The following types of mark can be registered:

Nonetheless, not all trademarks may be approved. Trademarks which are fit for use are those which fulfil the following conditions:

Examples include:

In Malaysia, trademark rights can be gained by registration. To register for trademark rights, one is required to submit the relevant application form (Form TM5) to the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). Doing so will bring about the registration of a trademark in Malaysia.

The first step of registering a trademark in Malaysia is that of application. When a person makes such an application, some of the details to be included are:

A payment of RM250 must also be made for the completion of Form TM5. An applicant may for a trademark on the website of MyIPO (https://www.myipo.gov.my/en/apply-for-trade-marks/)

After MyIPO accepts a request, it assigns a submission code. MyIPO will take further steps to record the trademark, of which the first is a formal review of the application form (TM5) after payment is processed.

The formal review is followed by a substantive examination. During this phase, MyIPO examines the application in order to ensure that all legal registration requirements have been fulfilled.

MyIPO will then send either a letter of approval (TM29 form) or a letter of protest (TM70 form). Should all matter in this phase be duly completed, the applicant will then be required to pay a prescribed publication fee of RM450.

After these payments are made and all necessary accompanying images have been provided, the trademark will be published in Warta Kerajaan (Government Gazette). At this point, anyone who plans to reject the registration of the trademark has a period of two months to do so. Once there are no remaining objections, the trademark will be licensed, and the applicant will receive a registration certificate.

The newly registered trademark will be active for 10 years from the date of application. Registered trademarks in Malaysia can even be renewed consecutively on a permanent basis if the renewal fee is paid in due time.

The length of registering a trademark in Malaysia takes roughly eighteen months.

As it takes roughly eighteen months to register a trademark, those who would like to register a trademark in Malaysia are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The lengthy procedure ensures that once it is registered in the system, it stays there with no mishaps.

Depending on the fee code, the application cost for a trademark can be either be 950RM (TMA2A) or 1100RM (TMA2B).

However, there are certain costs which should be taken into consideration due to their importance. The production of a symbol to be used as a trademark may be of significant costs if such production is outsourced.

Trademark acquisition costs may also apply. These costs include the fees payable to MyIPO during the submission of an application as well as after the acceptance of the publication application.

Having a trademark is what differentiates your business from others. It is especially important for industries where there are numerous substitutes available. Every business should regardless try to register for a trademark, it is your intellectual property to uphold.

Do note that you should apply for your trademark registration after you have successfully incorporated your company in Malaysia.