IP rights and application to conform with TPPA: Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is now taking steps to improve Intellectual Property (IP) rights and application processes to conform with the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said these include strengthening the legal and enforcement system and fine-tuning the application process as well.
Hamzah said there is still a lot of work to do in harmonising local laws with the TPPA as well as on the South East Asia stage.
"IP rights in these countries are still territorial based, when an IP is registered it will only apply in the country where it is registered in.
"This will require changes in law in many countries to harmonise IP rights, I cannot speak for other countries," he told the press after presenting the National IP Awards 2016 at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said the low number of local IP applications can be attributed to a slowing economy and he forecasts that the number will likely rise when the economy improves.
Foreign applicants makes up about two-thirds of IP applications in Malaysia, with 21,704 foreign applicants as compared to 11,317 locals last year, and with 11,366 foreign applicants as compared to 6,302 locals so far this year.
Hamzah delivered the opening remarks at the Awards on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is in Jakarta to attend the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF).
The Awards was organised by the Ministry along with the Malaysia IP Corporation (MyIPO).
Hamzah said MyIPO had also launched the IP Funtastic programme and IP Portal for Youngsters to encourage youths to innovate and register their IP.
"This will cultivate a generation of children who are always thinking and looking for creative solutions to problems," he said.
Hamzah added that the IP Funtastic programme has so far been launched in seven schools and the Ministry hopes to expand it depending on the reception.