APPLYING FOR A PATENT / UTILITY INNOVATION

Malaysia telah menyertai Perjanjian Budapest pada 31 Mac 2022. Penyertaan Malaysia dalam Perjanjian Budapest membolehkan pengiktirafan penyimpanan mikroorganisma untuk tujuan prosedur paten. Melalui perjanjian ini, pemohon paten hanya perlu menyimpan sampel mikroorganisma di salah satu Pihak Berkuasa Depositari Antarabangsa (IDA). Ini bagi mengelakkan pengulangan prosedur penyimpanan di pelbagai negara anggota Perjanjian Budapest.

• Menghapuskan keperluan untuk mendepositkan berbilang sampel bahan biologi yang sama di pelbagai negara anggota Perjanjian Budapest
• Mengurangkan kos
• Memudahkan prosedur paten
• Mempromosikan R&D melalui akses kepada bahan biologi yang didepositkan.

Perjanjian Budapest adalah untuk memudahkan prosedur paten yang melibatkan mikroorganisma. Dalam perjanjian ini, pemohon hendaklah mendepositkan mikroorganisma apabila permohonan paten melibatkan mikroorganisma baharu atau penggunaan mikroorganisma baharu. Selaras dengan pindaan akta paten pada Mac 2022, MyIPO telah memperkenalkan Pihak Berkuasa Depositari Kebangsaan sebagai salah satu pilihan kepada pemohon tempatan yang ingin mendepositkan mikroorganisma mereka sebelum memfailkan permohonan paten. NDA ialah pusat penyimpanan mikroorganisma yang diiktiraf di peringkat kebangsaan untuk tujuan prosedur permohonan paten. NDA boleh dilaksanakan untuk menyokong sistem perlindungan paten yang berkaitan dengan mikroorganisma di negara berkenaan sahaja. Koleksi Budaya Mikrob Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM-MCC) telah diiktiraf sebagai Pihak Berkuasa Simpanan Negara yang pertama berkuat kuasa 27 Mac 2024.

Sebuah institusi saintifik

• Kerajaan Persekutuan atau Kerajaan Negeri – Agensi dan pertubuhan perbadanan yang diperbadankan
• menerima deposit mikroorganisma
• penyimpanan mikroorganisma
• memberikan sampel mana-mana mikroorganisma yang didepositkan
• keupayaan untuk melakukan ujian daya maju mikroorganisma yang didepositkan
• keupayaan untuk memastikan mikroorganisma yang disimpan berdaya maju, tidak
  tercemar & selamat
• Pusat Sokongan (Back-up Centre)

The procedure under the PCT has great advantages for the applicant, the patent offices and the general public:

• the applicant has up to 18 months more than he has in a procedure outside the PCT to reflect on the desirability of seeking protection in foreign countries, to appoint local patent agents in each foreign country, to prepare the necessary translations and to pay the national fees; he is assured that, if his international application is in the form prescribed by the PCT, it cannot be rejected on formal grounds by any designated Office during the national phase of the processing of the application; on the basis of the international search report or the written opinion, he can evaluate with reasonable probability the chances of his invention being patented; and the applicant has the possibility during the international preliminary examination to amend the international application to put it in order before processing by the designated Offices;
• the search and examination work of patent offices can be considerably reduced or virtually eliminated thanks to the international search report, the written opinion and, where applicable, the international preliminary examination report that accompany the international application;
• since each international application is published together with an international search report, third parties are in a better position to formulate a well-founded opinion about the patentability of the claimed invention.

• Brings the world within reach.
• Postpones the major cost associated with internationalizing a patent application.
• Provides a strong basis for patenting decisions.
• Is used by the world’s major corporations, universities and research institutions when they seek international patent protection.
• Allows you to apply securely and easily online and to save money by doing so.

There are two ways in which an invention can be protected abroad. It can either apply directly to those countries of interest, or use the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT international application).

The PCT is an agreement between countries that they will co-operate in order to ease the process of applying for patents in a number of countries around the world.

The system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The PCT system enables the applicant to make a single application in Malaysia (the international application) and then ‘designate’ as many other countries that are involved in the PCT. The PCT system is a patent ‘filing’ system, not a patent ‘granting’ system. There is no PCT patent or international patent.

PCT International Application
The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) acts as a Receiving Office. The PCT application should contain the following :

• a PCT Request form (PCT/RO/101)
• a description of the invention with claims, an abstract and drawings (if any)
• the appropriate fees.

All international applications file with MyIPO must be in the English language; as either a paper based application or an electronic application (using WIPO’s ePCT electronic filing).

Please visit the WIPO website to create your ePCT account and obtain your digital certificate, also to read further about ePCT ( https://pct.wipo.int/LoginForms/epct.jsp )

The application form may be posted directly to us or hand delivery to our Head Office in Kuala Lumpur or lodge them at any branch Offices in Sabah or Sarawak.

Fees

There are three main fees that must accompany the application. These are the transmittal fee, the international filing fee and the search fee. The transmittal fee covers the work completed by MyIPO, the international filing fee covers the work completed by WIPO and the search fee covers the work completed by an International Searching Authority (ISA).

MyIPO collects the transmittal fee but the two other fees are sent to the WIPO and ISA respectively. All fees must be paid in Malaysian Ringgit (RM).

International Search Report

An International Searching Authority (ISA) is to undertake an international search, that is, to identify any ‘prior art’ or written material in determining whether or not the invention is new. The results of the international search can help the applicant to evaluate his chances of getting a patent in the countries that he designates.

The following ISAs specified by MyIPO that will undertake the international search :

• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
• IP Australia (Australian Patent Office)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• Japan Patent Office (JPO)

Publication
All applications are published usually eighteen months after the application date or priority date if the applicant is claiming priority. WIPO produces a journal called the PCT Gazette, which is published every week. It contains the summary page of all applications. The PCT Gazette is also available on the WIPO Internet site.

International Preliminary Examination
If the applicant chooses to have an international preliminary examination, an International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) will undertake it. The applicant must make a specific ‘demand’ , and if should be submitted directly to the IPEA. The IPEA will examine the application and send an international preliminary examination report which will give the applicant an opinion on whether his invention is suitable for a patent to be granted.

The following IPEAs specify by MyIPO that will undertake the international preliminary examination :

• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
• IP Australia (Australian Patent Office)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• Japan Patent Office (JPO)

The National Phase
The applicant has to enter the national phase in order for his international application to proceed separately in any or all of the countries which are party to the PCT. The applicant has up to 30 months after his priority date to enter the national phase in Malaysia.

The applicant should notify MyIPO by :

• submitting a copy of the international application in the English language.
• paying the prescribed fee using Form 2A. Applications entering the national phase shall comply with the requirements of the Malaysian Patents Act. The decision on granting patents is taken exclusively by MyIPO in the national phase.

1. A Request Form
   Name of Applicant (MY nationality/residence)
   
   
2. Patent Specification
   Description
   Claim(s)
   Abstract
   Drawing(s), (if any)
   
   
3. Fees
   Transmittal Fee
   International Filing
   FeeSearch Fee
   
   
4. Important
   Must be in English Language
   Choose ONLY ONE (1) International Searching Authority (ISA) – KR, AU, EPO & JPO
   Subject to National Security check (S23A)
   
   
5. Form
   PCT Request and Notes to Request Form
   [Power of Attorney]
   
   
   

Filing of An International Application (PCT) :-
Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) As Receiving Office

1. Can I file an international application in Malaysia ?
   Yes, any Malaysian national or resident can file an international application in Malaysia at the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) as a receiving office.
   
   
2. What are the contents of the international application ?
   An international application shall contain:
   

   i. a request (Form PCT/RO/101)

   ii. a description

   iii. one or more claims,

   iv. one or more drawings (if any)

   v. and an abstract

3. What are the requirements to obtain an international filing date ?
   The requirements to obtain an international filing date are as following :
   

   a. The applicant must be a national or a resident of Malaysia,
   b. The language of the international application must be in English,
   c. The international application must contain :
   i. an indication that it is intended as an international application,
   ii. a request which has the effect of making all possible designation,
   iii. the name of the applicant,
   iv. a description of the invention,
   v. a claim or claims

4. What are the payable fees ?
   The following fees are payable for an international application filed at MyIPO:
   Transmittal Fee (MyIPO)
   International Filing Fee (International Bureau)
   Search Fee (International Searching Authority)
   
   
5. Which International Searching Authorities can be specified/chosen by the applicant to
   conduct the international search for international application?
   a Korean Intellectual Property Office
   b. Australian Patent Office
   c European Patent Office
   d Japan Patent Office
   
   
6. Besides MyIPO, is there any other office where a Malaysian national or resident can file
   his international application?
   A Malaysian national or resident can file his international application with the International Bureau of WIPO which acts as a receiving office for nationals and residents of all PCT Contracting States.
   
   
7. How can I file my international application (PCT) ?
   PCT application can be filed directly to MyIPO HQ and branche offices
   Via postal delivery POS LAJU, DHL, FEDERAL EXPRESS, UPS
   ePCT-Filing https://pct.wipo.int/LoginForms/epct.jsp
   
   
8. Can I get reduction of fees if I file through PCT?
   Yes. A Malaysian individual is entitled for 90% reduction of International Filing Fee.
   
   
9. How about reduction of online filing fees?
   An applicant will enjoy a reduction on Transmittal fee and International Filing fee if he files through ePCT. Please refer to the PCT Fee Table on MyIPO website.
   
   
10. If I file an International Application via ePCT can I make payment via account transfer?
    This service is not available for yhe time being. Applicant needs to make payment over the counter at MyIPO HQ or branch offices (Cash, Cheque or Credit Card ONLY)

RECEIVING NEW PCT APPLICATION AND REQUEST FOR FILING INVENTION OUTSIDE MALAYSIA UNDER SECTION 23A

Effective from February 2018, the applicant may submit new PCT application and request for filing invention outside Malaysia under Section 23A at Patent Counter, Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), Level 5, MyIPO Tower, PJ Sentral, Lot 12, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Should you have further enqueries, please contact En. Ahmad Hazli Mohd Hisham at 03-74963286 or email pct@myipo.gov.my .

FORM PPH1

1. PPH JPO

• Request to MyIPO
• Request to JPO

2. PPH EPO

• Request to MyIPO 
• Request to EPO

3. PPH CNIPA

• Request to MyIPO 
• Request to CNIPA

4. PPH KIPO

• Request to MyIPO 
• Request to KIPO

5. PPH USPTO

• Request to MyIPO 
• Request to USPTO

Statistical Report on Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Applications 2021

• The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is an initiative which provides a means of significantly accelerating examination of your patent application if examination work has already been conducted at another patent office.
• Under the PPH programme, if the claims of your application have been found to be acceptable by a first patent office, you may request accelerated examination of a corresponding application at a second office. The PPH is a procedure whereby patent offices can make use of relevant work already conducted by another office when conducting the patent examination.
• With effect from 1 October 2014, MyIPO starts a pilot PPH/PCT-PPH programme with the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
• With effect from 1 July 2017, MyIPO starts a pilot PPH/PCT-PPH programme with the European Patent Office (EPO).
• With effect from 1 July 2018, MyIPO starts a pilot PPH/PCT-PPH programme with National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC (CNIPA).
• With effect from 1 December 2020, MyIPO starts a pilot PPH/PCT-PPH programme with the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).
• With effect from 2 March 2023, MyIPO starts a pilot PPH/PCT-PPH programme with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• For enquiries relating to the PPH programme, please contact:

1. Ms. Nur Mazlin Mohamad Khir, Tel: +603 7496 3289, E-mail: mazlin@myipo.gov.my
2. Mr. Mohd Zaidi bin Maarof, Tel: 03 7496 3208, E-mail: zaidi@myipo.gov.my
3. Ms. Amalina binti Mamat, Tel: +603 7496 3260, E-mail: amalina@myipo.gov.my