Looking at protecting your intellectual property internationally during this challenging period?
Great news! The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is giving out a reimbursable grant of up to RM30,000.00 per company under its Market Development Grant (MDG) to assist Malaysian businesses in registering their intellectual property overseas.
This includes registration of trademark, patent, industrial design, and geographical indication!
What is Market Development Grant (MDG)?
MDG is a reimbursable grant under the initiative of MATRADE. It is meant for assisting exporters to promote Malaysian products and services globally. In light of the challenges brought by COVID-19, MATRADE has now included additional activities eligible to claim for the MDG, which includes registration of IP for international market.
The members of MATRADE may apply for this grant for the purposes of registering intellectual property overseas, such as trademark, patent, industrial design and geographical indication.
This is limited to the registration activities between 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021
Please click this link for detailed information about the grant.
Who is eligible to claim for MDG?
The following groups of businesses and organisations, who are members of MATRADE, are eligible to claim for MDG for intellectual property registration activities overseas.
A. Small & medium enterprise (SMEs)
B. Professional service providers (Sole proprietor or partnership)
C. Trade & industry associations, chambers of commerce or professional bodies
D. Co-operatives
The summary of the requirements of the respective groups as below.
A. SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs)
Incorporated under the Malaysian Companies Act 1965 or Companies Act 2016.
With at least 60% equity owned by Malaysians.
Manufactures products that are made in Malaysia or provide services for export that originated from Malaysia, and
Meet the following defining criteria: (1) For businesses in manufacturing, the annual sales not exceeding RM50 million, or 200 full-time employees (2) For businesses in trading and services, the annual sales not exceeding RM20 million, or 75 full-time employees
B. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS (SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP
Incorporated under the Registration of Business Act (1956) or registered under the respective statutory bodies for professional services providers.
With at least 60% equity owned by Malaysians.
Exporting Malaysian services and fulfil one of the following criteria: (i) Annual sales not exceeding RM20 million; or (ii) Full time-employees not exceeding 75
C. TRADE & INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL BODIES ASSOCIATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OR PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Registered with the Registrar of Society (ROS) or Associated Professional Authority.
D. CO-OPERATIVES
Incorporated under the Malaysian Co-operative Societies Act 1993.
At least 60% equity owned by Malaysian.
The main business activity of the co-operative is for exporting.
Exporting products Made in Malaysia or Malaysian services.
Please note that the applicants must first register themselves as members of MATRADE. If you are not registered with MATRADE yet, please register through MATRADE's link here.
When can we apply?
For Intellectual Property Registration activities undertaken from:-
a) 1 January 2021 to 14 July 2021 - submission must be made before by 12 August 2021
b) 15 July 2021 to 31 December 2021 - within 30 calendar days from the date of activity
Please remember that the IP registration activities must be undertaken from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021
How to apply?
Applications must be made by the applicants themselves online through MATRADE's online portal at this link.
As you must be a MATRADE member first before applying for MDG, please register through the MATRADE's link here.
For further details on the supporting documents and information on MDG, please refer to this link.
Although the MDG application is still subject to the approval and discretion of MATRADE, we would say it is worth leveraging on this opportunity to protect your intellectual property globally! According to our enquiry with MATRADE, there are high chances of approval as long as:- a) you are an eligible applicant
b) all required documents are complete
c) the fund still available.
For any further enquiries, you can contact the MDG unit with contact details as below.
Market Development Unit (MDG)
8th Floor, East Wing, Menara MATRADE Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: +603 - 6207 7593
Fax: +603 - 6203 7252
Email: mdg@matrade.gov.my
We hope the above information would assist our fellow Malaysian entrepreneurs to protect their intellectual property globally.
Let's contact us today and leverage on this golden opportunity!
Written by,
Registered Trademark, Patent and Design Agent
LL.B (HONS), CLP Advocate & Solicitor (Non-Practising)
IP Legal Intern
Bachelor of Laws
Disclaimer: The above information is merely for general sharing and does not constitute any legal advice. Readers are advised to seek individual advice from the professionals.
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