COVID-19 ASEAN Update: Malaysia

COVID-19 ASEAN Update: Malaysia


Dear friends and colleagues,

We would like to provide you the following update on the COVID-19 situation in ASEAN:

Malaysia: In an attempt to flatten the COVID-19 curve, the government has announced the extension of the nation-wide lockdown (Movement Control Order (MCO) period) to 14 April 2020. In accordance with this directive, the Malaysian Intellectual Property Office (MyIPO) and our Kuala Lumpur office remain closed from 1 – 14 April 2020, with an expectation to re-open on 15 April 2020, subject to further directives from the government.

Since the initial phase of partial lockdown, our Malaysia staff have been operating from their respective homes and this will continue for the extended period.

You may also wish to note the following key updates by MyIPO:

General:

All deadlines previously set for 1 April 2020 will be extended to 15 April 2020, subject to any specific directives otherwise.

Other deadlines set in MyIPO’s previous announcement on 17 March 2020 (please refer to Business Continuity Update from Ella Cheong – 18 March 2020 for more details) remain unchanged.

Patents:

  • Patent renewal deadlines expiring between 18 March 2020 and 14 April 2020 will be extended to 30 April 2020. However, online payment may still be made.

Trademarks:

  • All manual applications which involve Priority Date Claims (PDCs) which will expire during this extended MCO period are allowed to be filed (manually) by 20 April 2020 at the latest. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to file by 15 April 2020 in accordance with Article 4(C)(3) of the Paris Convention concerning extensions of PDC deadlines – “the first following working day”.
  • Online filing for new applications remains available.

Our business goes on for our clients

Our colleagues with whom you have been communicating will continue to look after your matters. They remain contactable for assistance by email. Should you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Directors, Mr. Soh Kar Liang() and Mr. Kevin Wong ().

It is our hope that you and your loved ones remain safe and we wish you the best of health in these dreadful and trying times.