IP law reforms on the horizon

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumerism (MDTCC) has recently looked into reviewing all IP acts in Malaysia.

Amongst the four main intellectual property acts in Malaysia, the trademark and copyright laws have not seen much action in terms of reform for more than half a decade. The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumerism (MDTCC) has recently looked into reviewing all IP acts.

First on the list will be the Copyright Act 1987, which was last amended in October 2003. The Malaysian government is a strong proponent of an effective copyright regime that will assist creative industries: one of the keys to the country’s continuing economic growth.

The proposed amendments to the Copyright Act 1987 would address the rights of authors and performers, public policy, the powers of the copyright tribunal, Internet and technological development and enforcement-related issues, and the wide-ranging exceptions and limitations for private and educational purposes.