GEORGE TOWN: Asean member states must strengthen the region’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem by fostering awareness and developing procedures that support micro, small and medium enterprises, said Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) chairman Riduan Rubin.
He said a more coherent and transparent regional framework would help local innovators and small businesses galvanise strategic tools and IP resources, enabling them to apply IP protection seamlessly across Asean.
He said Asean must also strengthen the aspects of commercialisation, valuation and integration of intellectual property within the regional sustainability agenda.
“This approach will ensure that intellectual property not only serves as a source of economic value and investment but also contributes to green innovation and a balance between economic, social and environmental progress.
“Asean is rich in creativity, but our monetisation mechanisms remain fragmented. We need stronger valuation standards, innovation financing tools and policies that connect IP creators to capital markets,” he said when officiating at the 77th Asean Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings here today.
Also present were MyIPO director-general Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff and AWGIPC chair Suon Vichea.
Riduan emphasised that Asean is now at a critical turning point, where intellectual property is no longer viewed merely as a protection mechanism but as a strategic economic asset capable of generating investment, enhancing productivity and strengthening regional competitiveness.
He pointed out that MyIPO has already embarked on this path by developing stronger IP valuation frameworks, collaborating with experts and financial institutions and supporting the integration of IP assets into business lending and investment assessments.
He noted that from 2019 until September 2025, MyIPO recorded 342,093 trademark filings, reflecting growing entrepreneurial confidence, while patent applications have surpassed 50,629 and industrial design filings have reached 12,788, underscoring Malaysia’s strength in manufacturing, innovation and design.
He said Malaysia’s copyright voluntary notification system has also expanded, with 55,352 notifications, as more digital creators, musicians and content developers recognise the value of IP in the creative economy.
“Penang, in particular, has emerged as a powerhouse of innovation. The state consistently records among the highest IP filings in Malaysia, with 1,354 applications from January to September this year.
“This includes 130 patents and 82 industrial design applications, driven largely by the semiconductor and electrical and electronics sectors,” he added. – Bernama
