It was announced that as of August 16th, Malaysia has become a member country of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). If an applicant now files an international patent application in any country (besides Malaysia) to be processed through the PCT, the applicant may nationalize the application in Malaysia within thirty (30) months of the earliest priority date of the international application. An applicant may now use the PCT/RO/101 form, filed in triplicate, to apply for patent in Malaysia along with the prior 130 signatory countries. According to Datuk Shafie Apda, Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, “All you need to do is tick which countries you want to register your patent in. There is no need to spend money to fly to another country to register the patent. This will also expedite the [patent] process.” The website of the Malaysian IP office (the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, MyIPO) now includes links to PCT reference information as well as a PCT frequently asked questions (FAQ) web page.

Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia News Release: LINK
Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) PCT FAQ Website: LINK
World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) “Services for PCT Applicants” Website: LINK
PCT/RO/101 (PCT REQUEST) Form: LINK