China-ASEAN Trademark and Brand Forum in Nanning

The year 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN Expo, and the first China-ASEAN Innovation Year. The event, held on September 13 in Nanning, was jointly sponsored by the State Administration for Market Regulation, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the People's Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.


The theme of the forum is “Trademark, Brand Strategy and Economic Development”. 300 participants, including the heads of relevant government agencies from 9 ASEAN countries, representatives of non-governmental organizations, experts and scholars, relevant national ministries and commissions, heads of industrial and commercial bureaus of some provinces (municipalities, districts, and Municipalities with Independent Planning Status under the National Social and Economic Development) of China, well-known domestic economists and entrepreneurs, etc., officially gathered in the Green City.

Chong highlights few points to improve IP system at forum

Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen highlighted several important points in order to improve on Malaysia’s intellectual property (IP) system such as the proposed amendment to the Trademark Act 1976 at the recent China Asean Trademark & Brand Forum held in Nanning, China.

He said in a press release that the improvement will enable Malaysia to accede to the Madrid Protocol that will benefit us economically by enhancing confidence among foreign investors of the country’s business environment.

Chong also emphasised the country’s commitment to set up a proper and transparent criteria for IP valuation in order to recognise IP asset value as collateral.

The forum was hosted by the government of China in collaboration with the State Market Regulatory Administration (SMRA) and the People’s Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Several ministerial-level participants from Asean countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand also attended the discussion.

The main objective of the event was to discuss and exchange ideas pertaining to trademark and intellectual property development between Asean countries for the benefit of the regional grouping.
China’s huge achievements in trademark applications filed in recent years had inspired Malaysia to strengthen collaborative effort with the economic giant in implementing more activities and programmes that can enhance understanding of trademark laws and protection requirements within the business community in both countries. - Borneo Post

Product, brand need to be supported by good leadership — Saifuddin Nasution

Every new product or brand should be supported by good leadership to ensure its resilience to withstand competition against other global products, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said history had shown that many companies listed in the Fortune 500 in the past failed to maintain their momentum and competitiveness and eventually disappeared.

“In Malaysia, we have MEC, Satay Ria, Mega TV, Metro TV, but they are no more in existence.They did start with innovation, then disappeared.

“Innovations need to be supported by good leadership that can guarantee the model and to elevate the idea so that it can turn into something lucrative,” he said at the award presentation of the 13th National Intellectual Property Awards 2018, organised by the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) here yesterday.

He also said the country was on the right track to become a developed nation based on intellectual property (IP) ownership and increased trademark applications.

In 2017, a total of 50,188 IP applications were filed in Malaysia with an increase of 4.3 per cent compared to the previous year.

He said of the total, 39,736 IP were registered, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to the previous year, and 35 per cent of them were owned by Malaysians.

“Although the number is still far below the foreign ownership, based on the upward trend of applications every year, I believe we can still achieve the target of 50 per cent if we can continue the momentum in producing intellectual property with the government support,” he said.

At the award presentation yesterday, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) bagged the gold award for the Best IP Management category and took home a cash prize of RM30,000, a championship trophy, an accompanying trophy and a certificate of appreciation.

Apart from UPM that bagged its second gold award for Patent category, other gold winners of five more categories contested were Hipster Pomade (for Trade Mark); D Athirah Enterprise (Industrial Design); Universiti Teknologi Mara (Copyright); Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi Batu Pahat, Johor (Young Inventor of IP for skill training institute students) and Mara Junior Science College, Jeli, Kelantan (Young Inventor of IP for secondary school students). — Bernama