Apply for Patent/Utility Innovation

The procedure under the PCT has great advantages for the applicant, the patent offices and the general public:

• the applicant has up to 18 months more than he has in a procedure outside the PCT to reflect on the desirability of seeking protection in foreign countries, to appoint local patent agents in each foreign country, to prepare the necessary translations and to pay the national fees; he is assured that, if his international application is in the form prescribed by the PCT, it cannot be rejected on formal grounds by any designated Office during the national phase of the processing of the application; on the basis of the international search report or the written opinion, he can evaluate with reasonable probability the chances of his invention being patented; and the applicant has the possibility during the international preliminary examination to amend the international application to put it in order before processing by the designated Offices;
• the search and examination work of patent offices can be considerably reduced or virtually eliminated thanks to the international search report, the written opinion and, where applicable, the international preliminary examination report that accompany the international application;
• since each international application is published together with an international search report, third parties are in a better position to formulate a well-founded opinion about the patentability of the claimed invention.

• Brings the world within reach
• Postpones the major coast associated with internationalizing a patent application
• Provides a strong basis for patenting decisions
• Is used by the world’s major corporations, universities and research institutions when they seek international patent protection
• Allows you to apply securely and easily online and to save money by doing so

There are two ways in which an invention can be protected abroad. It can either apply directly to those countries of interest, or use the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT international application).

The PCT is an agreement between countries that they will co-operate in order to ease the process of applying for patents in a number of countries around the world.

The system is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The PCT system enables the applicant to make a single application in Malaysia (the international application) and then ‘designate’ as many other countries that are involved in the PCT. The PCT system is a patent ‘filing’ system, not a patent ‘granting’ system. There is no PCT patent or international patent.

PCT International Application
The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) acts as a Receiving Office. The PCT application should contain the following :

• a PCT Request form (PCT/RO/101)
• a description of the invention with claims, an abstract and drawings (if any)
• the appropriate fees.

All international applications file with MyIPO must be in the English language; as either a paper based application or an electronic application (using WIPO’s ePCT electronic filing).

Please visit the WIPO website to create your ePCT account and obtain your digital certificate, also to read further about ePCT ( https://pct.wipo.int/LoginForms/epct.jsp )

The application form may be posted directly to us or hand delivery at our Head Office in Kuala Lumpur or lodge them at any branch Offices in Sabah or Sarawak.

Fees

There are three main fees that must accompany the application. These are the transmittal fee, the international filing fee and the search fee. The transmittal fee covers the work completed by MyIPO, the international filing fee covers the work completed by WIPO and the search fee covers the work completed by an International Searching Authority (ISA).

MyIPO collects the transmittal fee but the two other fees are sent to the WIPO and ISA respectively. All fees must be paid in Malaysian Ringgit (RM).

International Search Report

An International Searching Authority (ISA) is to undertake an international search, that is, to identify any ‘prior art’ or written material in determining whether or not the invention is new. The results of the international search can help the applicant to evaluate his chances of getting a patent in the countries that he designates.

The following ISAs specify by MyIPO that will undertake the international search :

• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
• IP Australia (Australian Patent Office)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• Japan Patent Office (JPO)

Publication
All applications are published usually eighteen months after the application date or priority date if the applicant claiming priority. WIPO produces a journal called the PCT Gazette, which is published every week. It contains the summary page of all applications. The PCT Gazette is also available on the WIPO Internet site.

International Preliminary Examination
If the applicant choose to have an international preliminary examination, an International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) will undertake it. The applicant must make a specific ‘demand’ , and should be submitted directly to the IPEA. The IPEA will examine the application and send an international preliminary examination report which will give the applicant an opinion on whether his invention suitable for a patent to be granted.

The following IPEAs specify by MyIPO that will undertake the international preliminary examination :

• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
• IP Australia (Australian Patent Office)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• Japan Patent Office (JPO)

The National Phase
The applicant has to enter the national phase in order his international application to proceed separately in any or all of the countries which are party to the PCT. The applicant has up to 30 months after his priority date to enter the national phase in Malaysia.

The applicant should notify MyIPO by :

• submit a copy of the international application in the English language
• pay the prescribed fee using Form 2A Applications which entered the national phase shall comply with the requirements of the Malaysian Patents Act. The decision on granting patents is taken exclusively by MyIPO in the national phase.

Requirements

Filing of An International Application (PCT) :-
Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) As Receiving Office

1. Can I file an international application in Malaysia ?

• Yes, any Malaysian national or resident can file an international application in Malaysia at the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) as a receiving office.

2. What are the contents of the international application ?

• An international application shall contain:

   i. a request (Form PCT/RO/101)

   ii. a description

   iii. one or more claims,

   iv. one or more drawings (if any)

   v. and an abstract

3. What are the requirement to obtain an international filing date ?

• The requirement to obtain an international filing date are as following :
  

   a. The applicant must be a national or a resident of Malaysia,
   b. The language of the international application must be in English,

   c. The international application must contain :

      i. an indication that it is intended as an international application,
      ii. a request which has the effect of making all possible designation,
      iii. the name of the applicant,
      iv. a description of the invention,
      v. a claim or claims

4. What are the fees payable ?

• The following fees are payable for an international application filed at MyIPO:
  

1. Transmittal Fee (MyIPO)
2. International Filing Fee (International Bureau)
3. Search Fee (International Searching Authority)

5. Which International Searching Authorities can be specified/chosen by the applicant to
conduct the international search for international application?
   a Korean Intellectual Property Office
   b. Australian Patent Office
   c European Patent Office
   d Japan Patent Office

6. Beside MyIPO, is there any other office where a Malaysian national or resident can file
his international application?

• A Malaysian national or resident can file his international application with the International Bureau of WIPO which acts as a receiving office for nationals and residents of all PCT Contracting States.

7. How can I file my international application (PCT) ?

• PCT application can be filed directly to MyIPO HQ and branches
• Via postal delivery POS LAJU, DHL, FEDERAL EXPRESS, UPS
• ePCT-Filing https://pct.wipo.int/LoginForms/epct.jsp

8. Can I get reduction of fees if I file through PCT?

• Yes. A Malaysian individual entitle for 90% reduction of International Filing Fee

9. How about reduction of online filing?

• An applicant will enjoy a reduction on Transmittal fee and International Filing fee if he file through ePCT. Please refer to the PCT Fee Table on MyIPO website

10. If I file an International Application via ePCT can I made payment via account transfer?

• This service is not available for time being. Applicant need to make payment over the counter at MyIPO HQ or branches (Cash, Cheque or Credit Card ONLY)