# Cathca Sdn. Bhd.: services and website capabilities > Trademark and IP protection in Malaysia, with clear prices. Organization: Cathca Sdn. Bhd.. Short name: Cathca. Status: live. Scope: https://cathca-ip.com/. Indexing: index, follow. This optional document describes public content and actual website capabilities. It does not establish an API, MCP or A2A service, authorize actions, or guarantee crawler discovery. The HTML pages remain the normal reading and navigation surface. Your enquiry is recorded by Cathca, and you may continue in WhatsApp or email. Please leave confidential documents out of this first enquiry. The service-specific preparation lists describe a later consultation. Those records and documents are not required uploads to this first enquiry form. First enquiry inputs: name (required, at most 100 characters); brand or trademark number (required, at most 150 characters); your WhatsApp number or email (required, at most 120 characters); service (required; help choosing a service is available); enquiry text (optional, at most 1000 characters). Preparing the draft requires browser JavaScript. Enquiries are submitted only through the browser form; there is no public API for them. Review the draft and send it in the chosen external app. Opening an app or preparing a draft is not a delivery confirmation. If an app does not open, copy the prepared message and email trademark@cathca-ip.com. Not available on this website: Run a live trademark availability search; Submit or amend a trademark, copyright or patent application; Submit a renewal, opposition, appeal or certificate request; Pay for or purchase a service; Read authenticated case status, private records or live Gazette-watch results; Upload confidential documents. No authenticated service endpoints or agent protocols are advertised. Package qualifications: Prices are per trademark, per class. Cathca confirms the trademark, goods and services, classes and scope in the quotation before instruction. Filing target: Our filing target is within one day once your application is ready for submission. We first confirm the trademark, applicant details, goods and services, and your filing instructions. Filing is the start of the registration process; it is not a promise of approval within one day. Registration: No. The Trademark Office decides whether your application meets the law. Another party may also oppose it when it is published in the gazette. Cathca checks the brand, plans the application, prepares the documents and follows its progress. We watch for oppositions and explain the options if a problem arises, so you know what needs to happen next. Contact languages: English, 中文, Bahasa Malaysia. Meetings are by appointment. ## Website capabilities and navigation - [Read the JSON service and capability document](https://cathca-ip.com/agent.json): GET or HEAD, read-only public data; no authentication required. - [Prepare an enquiry](https://cathca-ip.com/#contact): records the enquiry with Cathca, then offers WhatsApp or email to continue. - [Copy a prepared enquiry](https://cathca-ip.com/#contact): copies to the visitor's clipboard, with manual copying available if clipboard access fails. Copying does not send. - [Open WhatsApp](https://wa.me/60175870213): the visitor controls sending. - [Open an email app](mailto:trademark@cathca-ip.com): the visitor controls sending. - [Call Cathca](tel:+60175870213): opens the device's calling interface. - [Trademark overview](https://cathca-ip.com/trademark): five focused routes for registration, renewal, refusal, opposition and similar-brand concerns. - [Homepage](https://cathca-ip.com/): services, process, packages, FAQs and contacts. - [Compare packages](https://cathca-ip.com/#packages): Choose a package, open each package card’s full inclusions independently, and optionally open the initially collapsed still comparison of all three packages. Selecting or opening a card does not make a purchase. Package prices are shown on the cards; each card's full inclusion details are available in its own native HTML disclosure. - [Client showcase](https://cathca-ip.com/trusted-by): client brands by industry. - [Blog](https://cathca-ip.com/blog): plain-language trademark articles by Darius. ## Service gateway - [Search & registration](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark): Kickstarter covers the search and written findings. Best Value adds application preparation and submission to the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). Peace of Mind also includes appeal support. Read the inclusions and fee conditions before choosing. Reading or choosing this route does not execute service work. - [Renewal](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals): Send your trademark number and any registration or renewal documents you have. Cathca can review the record with you and explain the work involved in renewing it. Reading or choosing this route does not execute service work. - [Refusal & appeal](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals): Have the complete letter, its attachments and your application reference ready. Tell us about any reply already sent. Cathca can review the documents with you before discussing the response and service scope. Reading or choosing this route does not execute service work. - [Opposition](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions): Share the full notice and its attachments. Include any correspondence you already have, and point out any response date stated in the notice. We can then discuss the information needed and the work involved. Reading or choosing this route does not execute service work. - [Similar brand](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand): Share your brand name or trademark number, a link or screenshot of the other brand, and where you saw it. These details give Cathca a starting point for discussing your concern. Reading or choosing this route does not execute service work. ## Services - [Trademark search & registration](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark): Check your brand name or logo, understand the search findings and prepare a Malaysian trademark application. When this fits: You are choosing a name, launching a product or ready to register the brand your customers already know. Work to discuss: Understand your brand, applicant details and the goods or services you offer. Conduct an availability search and explain the findings and filing options. Prepare and submit the application, then explain the next steps as it progresses. Information to prepare for consultation: Your proposed name or a clear copy of the logo; A description of the products or services sold under the brand; The proposed owner's details and any existing application records. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Copyright](https://cathca-ip.com/services/copyright): Organise the record of your original work and assess voluntary copyright notification in Malaysia. When this fits: You have created artwork, writing, software, film or other original material and want clearer records of the work and its ownership. Work to discuss: Review the work, its creation history and the ownership information you provide. Explain the purpose and suitability of voluntary copyright notification. Help prepare the supporting information and notification application. Information to prepare for consultation: A copy of the work and its creation or publication dates; Creator and owner details; Relevant employment, commissioning or ownership agreements. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Patent](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent): Explore protection for a technical invention and the preparation needed for a patent application. When this fits: You have developed a technical product or process and want to know whether it can be patented, what it will cost and how to file, before you disclose it or take it to market. Work to discuss: Discuss the technical problem, your solution and what makes it different. Assess the information needed for a patent search and filing strategy. Map the preparation required for the specification, drawings and application. Information to prepare for consultation: A short technical description and any available drawings; Inventor and proposed applicant details; Details of any earlier disclosure, publication or application. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Trademark renewals](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals): Review an approaching expiry and prepare the renewal steps for your Malaysian trademark registration. When this fits: Your registration is approaching expiry, the date has already passed, or you want the position of an older registration checked before you rely on it. Work to discuss: Cathca checks your registration's expiry date and current status on the Trademark Office's register, then confirms which window applies and the official fee. Cathca prepares the renewal, late renewal or restoration filing and follows it up until the Trademark Office confirms it. We keep track of the dates for every registration we look after, so a renewal is never rushed or missed. For those registrations, the reminder goes out a year before expiry. Information to prepare for consultation: Your trademark or registration number.; The registered owner's details, and any change of name or address since registration.; Your latest registration or renewal document, if you have it.. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Trademark opposition](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions): Assess a published application or an opposition to your own trademark, with a clear view of the records and response needed. When this fits: A published trademark concerns you, or you have received notice that someone is opposing your application. Work to discuss: Review the relevant application, notice and stated grounds. Identify the procedural position and the evidence needed to assess your options. Prepare the agreed opposition or response work and track the relevant steps. Information to prepare for consultation: The published application or opposition notice; Relevant application numbers and correspondence; Records of ownership and use of your brand. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Gazette watch](https://cathca-ip.com/services/gazette-watch): Keep track of your trademark's publication and the next steps towards registration during the agreed watch period. When this fits: Your application is moving through publication and you want help keeping its status and next action in view. Work to discuss: Identify the relevant application and publication record. Monitor the agreed publication window and report relevant status changes. Explain the next registration or response step from the available record. Information to prepare for consultation: The trademark application number; Any publication or acceptance notice received; Your latest correspondence about the application. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [International trademark filing](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international): Plan trademark filings around the markets you sell in now and the countries you intend to enter next. When this fits: You sell outside Malaysia, or plan to, and want the brand protected in those markets before someone else registers it there. Work to discuss: Cathca reviews your target countries, your trademark and any existing applications, and checks each country's rules. Cathca recommends direct filing or the Madrid Protocol for each country and quotes per country and class. Cathca coordinates the filings through its associate firms and handles any office action as it arises. Information to prepare for consultation: The countries where you want protection.; Your brand, the goods and services it covers, and the applicant's details for each country.; Any existing Malaysian or overseas applications and registrations.. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Trademark appeals](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals): Understand a refusal, review the reasons given and prepare the appropriate appeal submissions and supporting evidence. When this fits: You have received a refusal or examination decision and need a clear assessment of the next available step. Work to discuss: Read the decision and assess the grounds, case history and applicable response steps. Prepare the agreed submissions and organise supporting evidence. Follow up on the appeal and explain any conditions or further decisions. Information to prepare for consultation: The full refusal or decision; Your application details and earlier correspondence; Relevant records showing how the trademark has been used. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Hardcopy trademark certificates](https://cathca-ip.com/services/certificates): Arrange a physical certificate for a registered Malaysian trademark, with the document and delivery requirements confirmed first. When this fits: Your trademark is registered and you want a physical certificate for your records or business presentation. Work to discuss: Check the registration details and the document you need. Explain and arrange the appropriate certificate request. Confirm the recipient and delivery arrangements. Information to prepare for consultation: Your trademark registration number; The registered owner's details; Your preferred recipient and delivery address. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. - [Similar brand concern](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand): Discuss a similar name or sign with the available examples and records before choosing the appropriate route. When this fits: You have found a name, logo or sign that concerns you and want help understanding what information matters. Work to discuss: Review the examples, your own trademark and the background you provide. Clarify the questions and information needed before discussing an appropriate route. Explain the proposed service scope before you instruct further work. Information to prepare for consultation: Your brand name or trademark number; A link or screenshot showing the other brand; Where and when you found it, and any relevant correspondence. Consultation and separately agreed service work; not executed by this website. ## Packages - [Kickstarter Pack](https://cathca-ip.com/#packages): MYR 500. For businesses searching for an unregistered brand name or logo. Includes: Professional consultation about your brand.; Trademark availability search.; Detailed written analysis report.; Efficient reporting within 1 working day.; Tailored strategy to achieve the best outcome.. Excludes: Appeal support. Prices are per trademark, per class. Cathca confirms the trademark, goods and services, classes and scope in the quotation before instruction. - [Best Value Pack](https://cathca-ip.com/#packages): MYR 3000. For businesses ready to protect their established brand name or logo. Includes: Everything in Kickstarter Pack.; Preparation of official filing documents.; Filing translation and transliteration.; Submission to the Trademark Office.; Efficient filing within 1 working day.; Electronic certificate of registration, when issued.. Excludes: Appeal support. Prices are per trademark, per class. Cathca confirms the trademark, goods and services, classes and scope in the quotation before instruction. - [Peace of Mind Pack](https://cathca-ip.com/#packages): MYR 3500. For businesses with a generic or descriptive brand name or logo, or a poor search report. Includes: Everything in Kickstarter Pack.; Everything in Best Value Pack.; Filing an appeal against a refusal, if any.; Preparation of professional submissions.; Compilation of evidence of use.; Regular follow-ups on the appeal result.; Response to any conditional approval.. Appeal support is included. Prices are per trademark, per class. Cathca confirms the trademark, goods and services, classes and scope in the quotation before instruction. ## Frequently asked questions - [What is Cathca IP?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-cathca-ip): Cathca IP is the short name of Cathca Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian trademark agency. We help clients in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and online across Malaysia. Our founder, Erica Lim Sui Ying, is a certified and registered trademark agent (MYA/2022/0215). She holds an LL.B (Hons) law degree from the University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom. - [How much do Cathca's Malaysian trademark packages cost?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-cost): Cathca has three Malaysian trademark packages: - Kickstarter, RM500: trademark search. - Best Value, RM3,000: search and filing. Appeal support is not included. - Peace of Mind, RM3,500: search, filing and appeal support. Before you ask us to proceed, the quotation confirms the trademark, goods and services, classes and work included. - [What do the ™ and ® symbols mean in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-tm-symbols): ™ means you are using a name or logo as a trademark, or have applied to register it. It does not mean the trademark is registered. ® means the trademark is registered. Use it only after registration. Under section 104 of the Trademarks Act 2019, it is an offence to present a trademark as registered when you know, or have reason to believe, it is not. The fine can be up to RM10,000. - [Do I need a trademark for my TikTok Shop, Shopee or Lazada store?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-online-shops): You can usually open a standard TikTok Shop, Shopee or Lazada store without a registered trademark. Official brand stores and brand-owner accounts have extra requirements. - Standard seller accounts generally ask for identification or SSM business documents. - Shopee Mall and LazMall ask brand owners for proof of trademark registration. - TikTok Shop’s trademark-owner qualification requires an official trademark certificate. Registering your trademark helps protect the name customers know as your business grows. Cathca can check the brand, carry out the search and handle the application for you. - [Is registering my business name with SSM the same as a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-ssm-vs-trademark): No. Registering a business name with SSM does not give you trademark rights. - SSM registration lets you trade under a business or company name. - Trademark registration gives you the exclusive right to use the brand for the goods or services listed in the registration, under section 48 of the Trademarks Act 2019. Cathca helps you protect your brand alongside your SSM business registration. - [Can I put up a signboard without registering a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-signboard): You may be able to, but the documents you need depend on your local council and the name on the signboard. Check before you pay to make it. Council licensing and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) language approval are separate from trademark registration. Depending on the wording and council, you may need: - Your SSM-registered business or company name. - A registered trademark. - Permission to use someone else’s brand. DBP’s guidance also allows suitable Malay wording. Requirements differ between councils, so check the rules for your proposed signboard and location. Missing documents can delay approval. Unlicensed signs or signs that break the rules may lead to enforcement action. If the name infringes someone else’s trademark, you could have to remove and replace the signboard at your own cost. Send Cathca the name, your council and any notice you received. We check the trademark position and help identify which signboard requirements need confirmation before you spend on printing. - [Does a Malaysian trademark protect my brand overseas?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-intl-overseas): A Malaysian trademark registration protects your brand in Malaysia. Cathca can help you apply for protection in other countries where you do business. We look at your target markets and recommend either: - Direct applications to those countries’ trademark offices. - A Madrid Protocol application covering eligible member countries. We handle the process with our overseas associates and explain the work and fees before filing. Each country examines the application under its own law, so the results can differ. - [Can I speak to Cathca before choosing a package?](https://cathca-ip.com/#question-contact): Yes. Send your brand name and a short description of your business on WhatsApp, or use the enquiry form. We will help you choose the service you need. You can speak to us in English, Chinese or Malay. Meetings in Penang and Kuala Lumpur are by appointment. - [Do I need to register my trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-need-to-register): No. You do not have to register a trademark in Malaysia. But registration gives you the exclusive right to use your brand for the goods or services it covers. Before you invest in a name, check whether someone else has already registered a conflicting trademark. If your use infringes their rights, a court could order you to stop using it and pay damages. Cathca can search the name, explain the risks and help you register your trademark. - [Why is it important to register a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-why-register): Trademark registration gives you the exclusive right to use your brand name or logo across Malaysia for the goods or services listed in the registration. It lets you take legal action against the same or a confusingly similar trademark. It also helps customers recognise your business and adds value to the brand. Protection lasts 10 years at a time and can be renewed again and again. Cathca helps you choose what the application should cover before filing. - [What is the biggest mistake people make with an unregistered brand?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-biggest-mistake): Thinking that using a brand name first means you own it everywhere. Without registration, your protection depends on evidence that customers know the brand as yours. It may be limited to the market where you have built that reputation, and it can be harder to enforce. Cathca helps you check the name and apply for trademark registration, which protects the goods or services listed in it across Malaysia. - [How do I protect my brand name in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-protect-brand-name): Register your brand name as a trademark in Malaysia, starting with a trademark search. Once registered, you have the exclusive right to use the name for the goods or services listed in the registration across Malaysia. Protection lasts 10 years at a time and can be renewed again and again. Cathca handles the search and filing. We also watch the gazette for similar trademarks and advise you if a problem comes up. - [Can I copyright my business name or logo?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-copyright-name-logo): A business name is protected as a brand through trademark registration. Copyright may also protect the original artwork in your logo. - Copyright protects original creative work, such as drawings, writing, music and videos. - A trademark is a name, logo, slogan or symbol that tells customers which business the goods or services come from. Copyright in a logo’s artwork does not give you the exclusive right to use it as a brand. Cathca can help you register your business name and logo as trademarks. - [Should I design my logo first or check my brand name first?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-logo-first): Check the brand name before paying for a custom logo. A trademark search can find existing trademarks that may conflict with the name. Changing the design will not solve a conflict in the words themselves. Cathca explains the search results before you proceed with the design, then helps you apply to register the name and logo. - [Why search before applying for a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-search): A trademark search helps find existing trademarks that could affect your application before you pay to file. Cathca gives you a written report explaining the results and risks. We use it to plan the application, including whether to give up a claim to a common word or apply for the logo in colour or black and white. A good search result helps us plan the filing. It does not guarantee registration. - [Which trademark classes does my business need?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-classes): The right trademark classes depend on what your business sells or provides. Classes group goods and services for the application. Tell Cathca what you offer now and what you plan to add. We identify the classes you need and confirm what the application will cover before filing. - [Can I register a trademark myself?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-register-myself): Yes, if you live in Malaysia or mainly run your business here. Applicants outside that rule must appoint a registered trademark agent. You can file directly with the Trademark Office, but the details matter. Cathca can handle: - Searching for conflicting trademarks. - Choosing the classes and describing your goods and services. - Replying to refusals or oppositions when needed. - Correspondence with the Trademark Office. We explain the work and fees before you decide whether to appoint us. - [How does a trademark agent help my application succeed?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-why-agent): A trademark agent checks for problems before filing and prepares the application to fit your business and the legal rules. The name may be too close to an existing trademark. The class may be wrong, or the description of goods and services may be too broad. Cathca searches the name, recommends the classes and wording, and checks the application before filing. This reduces the risk of a refusal and extra costs, but approval cannot be guaranteed. - [Does one-day filing mean my trademark is registered in one day?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-filing-time): No. One-day filing means submitting your application within one working day once it is ready. The Trademark Office still has to examine it before registration. Cathca offers urgent filing for business approvals and other deadlines at no extra charge. Filing secures your filing date. The application still goes through examination and gazette publication. Any refusal or opposition must be resolved before registration. - [How long does trademark registration take in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-registration-time): A straightforward Malaysian trademark application usually takes about 8 to 10 months, plus the two-month gazette period. A refusal or opposition adds time. The Trademark Office’s client charter targets a notice of registration within 8 months of filing for a complete application with no objection. Cathca’s practical estimate is 8 to 10 months, with the gazette period counted separately. We track your application and explain each stage. Our one-day target is for filing a ready application, not completing registration. - [Can I speed up my trademark registration?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-speed-up): You may qualify for expedited examination, which brings forward the review of your application. It is available only on permitted grounds, including: - National or public interest. - Infringement proceedings already under way, or evidence of likely infringement. - Registration needed for funding from the Government or an institution recognised by the Registrar. Some trademark types, including colour, sound and collective marks, are excluded. Cathca checks whether you qualify and files the request for you. Our fee is RM1,500 per class, including the official fee. - [Can you guarantee that my trademark will be registered?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-registration): No. The Trademark Office decides whether your application meets the law. Another party may also oppose it when it is published in the gazette. Cathca checks the brand, plans the application, prepares the documents and follows its progress. We watch for oppositions and explain the options if a problem arises, so you know what needs to happen next. - [Is appeal support included in my package?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-appeal): Yes, under Peace of Mind (RM3,500). Best Value (RM3,000) covers search and filing without appeal support. We recommend Peace of Mind if your brand contains a common word or is close to an existing trademark. It includes a reply to an examination objection. Charges for extra time to respond are separate, including under Peace of Mind. If you already have a refusal letter, send Cathca the complete document. We will explain the reasons and your options before you decide. - [Do I need a hardcopy certificate for my trademark to be registered?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/trademark#question-certificate): No. Your trademark is registered when it is entered on the Register. The hardcopy certificate is proof of registration. It gives you an official paper record of ownership, a backup if online records are unavailable, evidence when acting against counterfeits and a record of the renewal date. After registration, Cathca can request the hardcopy for RM380, including the official fee. - [How do I renew a trademark in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-how): Send Cathca your trademark registration number. We handle the renewal for you: 1. Check the expiry date and status on the trademark register. 2. Confirm the renewal window and Cathca fee. 3. Prepare and file the renewal with the Trademark Office. 4. Send you the renewal confirmation for your records. You can renew in the six months before expiry. - [How do I check when my trademark expires?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-check-expiry): Your expiry date is on the trademark register. Each 10-year term starts from the filing date. Send Cathca the registration number. We will check the expiry date, current status and when you can renew. - [How early can I renew my trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-early): You can renew up to six months before your trademark expires. Cathca’s on-time renewal fee is RM1,500 per trademark, per class, including the official fee. Renewing in this window avoids the higher late-renewal and restoration fees. We recommend renewing when the window opens. - [How much is the trademark renewal fee in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-fee): Cathca’s renewal fees are per trademark, per class, including the official fee: - RM1,500 for renewal on or before expiry. - RM1,700 for late renewal within six months after expiry. - RM2,000 for restoration within six months after removal from the register. We check the register and confirm which fee applies before filing. - [Can I renew my trademark online?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-online): Yes. Cathca can renew your trademark for you without an office visit. Send the trademark number on WhatsApp. We check the deadline and status, confirm the fixed Cathca fee, then prepare and file the renewal for you. - [Is there a grace period for late trademark renewal in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-grace): Yes, you can apply for late renewal, but you must pay a higher fee. There is no free extension after the 10-year term ends. The Trademarks Act 2019 allows: 1. Late renewal within six months after expiry. 2. Restoration within six months after removal from the register, at a higher fee again. After these windows close, you lose the registration. Cathca can check the register and tell you which option is still available. - [My trademark has expired. Can I still restore it?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-miss): You may still be able to recover the registration, depending on the deadline and its status. - Within six months after expiry, you can apply for late renewal. - Within six months after removal from the register, you can apply for restoration. Cathca’s restoration fee is RM2,000 per trademark, per class, including the official fee. After the restoration window closes, you need a new application. Send Cathca the trademark number so we can check the status and deadline. - [What is the trademark renewal period in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/renewals#question-renewal-period): A Malaysian trademark registration lasts 10 years at a time. You can renew it again and again. The 10 years run from the filing date, which the law treats as the registration date. You can renew in the six months before expiry. Send Cathca the registration number and we will check the date and next step. For registrations we manage, we send a renewal reminder one year before expiry. - [Does a refusal letter mean my trademark application is rejected?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-meaning): Not necessarily. A refusal letter tells you what the Trademark Office needs corrected or explained before the application can proceed. The reply depends on the type of refusal: - A formality refusal concerns filing details or fees. It asks you to make a correction. - A provisional refusal concerns the trademark itself. You may need arguments, evidence or changes to the application. You usually do not need to give up the brand immediately. Cathca reviews the letter and prepares the right response within the deadline. - [Why was my trademark refused?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-why): The letter explains why. Common reasons include: - The name is too common or describes what you sell. - It is too close to an earlier trademark for the same or similar goods or services. - The class or description of goods and services needs changing. Creating the name or logo yourself does not avoid these rules. Cathca reads the complete letter and explains what can be corrected, argued or supported with evidence. - [Will I lose the time and money I’ve spent on my brand?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-serious): A refusal needs a reply on time, but it does not automatically mean losing everything you have invested in the brand. - If the refusal concerns the trademark itself, your filing date stays protected while the issues are addressed. The application can continue once the Trademark Office’s concerns are resolved. - If it concerns a filing formality, the correction must meet the letter’s deadline. If extra time is needed to fix a filing-date problem, the filing date can move to the correction date. Cathca checks the type of refusal and explains what it means for your application before recommending the next step. - [How long do I have to respond to a trademark refusal?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-deadline): Usually two months from the date of the refusal letter. Check the letter for your application’s deadline. You can ask for extra time before that deadline: - Up to six months for a refusal about the trademark itself. - One month for a formality refusal. Cathca’s charge for an extension starts from RM500 a month. Approval is not guaranteed, so we aim to reply on time and discuss an extension only if needed. - [What happens if I ignore a trademark refusal letter?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-ignore): If you do not reply by the deadline, your application is treated as withdrawn under section 29(6) of the Trademarks Act 2019. It will not continue toward registration. A missed deadline can be extended only in limited cases, such as an error or events beyond your control. Otherwise, you need a new application with a new filing date. Send Cathca the letter promptly so we can check the deadline and advise on the reply. - [If I give up on my application, can I get the fees back?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-refund): Filing fees are generally not refundable after the Trademark Office has processed the application. A limited exception concerns the Office’s own preliminary search service. Before you give up the application, Cathca can review the refusal and explain whether a reply is worth pursuing. - [Can I appeal a trademark refusal in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-first): Yes. You can answer a refusal within the deadline in the letter. Depending on the reasons, the response may include written arguments, changes to the application or evidence. Cathca reviews the reasons and prepares the response. If the Trademark Office still refuses the application, you can ask for written grounds and appeal to the High Court. - [Is it worth appealing, or should I start again with a new brand?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-worth): It depends on the reasons for refusal and how much you have already invested in the brand. Cathca reads the letter and gives you an honest view of the chances and costs of each option. We explain the choices without pressure to take either route. - [Can I keep using my brand while I deal with a refusal?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-keep-using): You can continue using the brand while the application is pending, but first check any refusal based on someone else’s earlier rights. Continued use could infringe their trademark. Use ™ while you wait for registration. You cannot use ® or rely on registration rights yet. Cathca can check the risk while preparing your refusal response. - [Can I reply to a trademark refusal myself?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-self): You can prepare your own reply if you live in Malaysia or mainly run your business here. The reply must meet the legal rules and answer every reason in the refusal letter. You may need evidence and relevant past decisions. An incomplete reply can lead to a final refusal, leaving a High Court appeal on short deadlines or a new application. Cathca prepares the reply around the examiner’s concerns and explains which evidence is needed before the deadline. - [What should I send for the first discussion?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-documents): Send Cathca: - The complete refusal letter and attachments. - Your trademark or application number. - Any replies already sent. If you do not have everything, send what you have. We explain what the Trademark Office is asking for and what else is needed. The response depends on the reasons in the letter; not every refusal needs an appeal. - [Someone else filed my application. Can Cathca help?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-elsewhere): Yes. Cathca can help even if another firm filed your application. We first review the refusal letter, application details and earlier replies. This review is free. We then quote for preparing your appeal reply. Full payment is required before we start that work. - [Does a reply to a refusal cost extra?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/appeals#question-refusal-cost): It depends on your package and who filed the application: - Peace of Mind includes the appeal reply. - Best Value does not include appeal support. - If another firm filed the application, the reply usually costs RM1,500 to RM2,500, depending on how complex the case is. Charges for extra time to respond are separate in all cases, including Peace of Mind. Cathca reviews the refusal letter free of charge and quotes before starting the reply. - [What is a trademark opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-what): A trademark opposition is a formal challenge from another party after your application is published in the gazette. They believe it should not be registered. It is not a final rejection. You can respond before the Registrar decides whether the trademark can be registered. Cathca reviews the notice, checks the deadlines and prepares the response with you. - [Is an opposition the same as a refusal?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-vs-refusal): No. They come from different sources and happen at different stages. - A refusal comes from the Trademark Office while it examines your application. - An opposition comes from another party after the application is published in the gazette. Each has its own deadlines and response process. - [Who can oppose my trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-who): Anyone with valid legal grounds can oppose. They do not have to own a registered trademark. Under sections 34 and 35 of the Trademarks Act 2019, competitors, other brand owners and members of the public can file an opposition if they have those grounds. - [Does an opposition mean my application has failed?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-failed): No. Your application is still pending. The opposition must be resolved before registration can continue. Cathca reviews the opponent’s reasons and explains the response and evidence needed to defend your application. - [Is a notice of opposition a lawsuit?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-lawsuit): No. A Notice of Opposition starts a case before the Registrar of Trademarks, rather than a court lawsuit. It still follows legal rules and strict deadlines. The Registrar’s decision can later be appealed to the High Court. Cathca explains the notice and handles the response stages. - [What is the trademark gazette in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-gazette-what): The trademark gazette is the Intellectual Property Official Journal. It publishes accepted trademark applications. Publication starts a two-month period when another party can oppose the application. If no one opposes, the trademark can proceed to registration. - [What should I do if someone opposes my trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition): Send Cathca the complete Notice of Opposition, your application number and related correspondence as soon as you receive them. We check the reasons and deadlines, explain what evidence is needed and prepare your response. An opposition comes from another party, so the process differs from replying to a Trademark Office refusal. - [How long do I have to file a Counter-Statement?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-counter-period): You have two months from receiving the Notice of Opposition to file a Counter-Statement, your formal reply to the opponent. The Registrar may grant up to six months of extra time if there is a good reason. Apply before the original deadline; a late request may be refused. Cathca’s extension charge starts from RM500 a month. Send Cathca the notice promptly so we can confirm the exact deadline and plan the reply. - [What happens if I don’t file a Counter-Statement?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-no-counter): Your application is normally treated as withdrawn for the goods or services being opposed, unless the Registrar directs otherwise. Section 35(4) of the Trademarks Act 2019 sets out this consequence. You lose the fees already paid. Continuing to use the brand may also expose you to legal action from the opponent. Cathca can review the notice and explain your options before the reply deadline. - [What are the steps in a trademark opposition in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-process): An opposition has these main stages: 1. The opponent files a Notice of Opposition (TMD1) within two months of gazette publication. 2. You file a Counter-Statement (TMD6) within two months of receiving the notice. 3. The opponent files evidence within two months of receiving your Counter-Statement. 4. You file evidence within two months of receiving the opponent’s evidence. 5. The opponent may file evidence in reply within two months of receiving your evidence. 6. Both sides file written submissions on the Registrar’s timetable. The Registrar then gives a written decision. How long the case takes depends on whether the opponent continues through each stage. Cathca handles the filings, evidence and deadlines and keeps you informed. - [Do I need to send my evidence with the Counter-Statement?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-evidence-when): No. The Counter-Statement is your reply to the opponent’s reasons. You file evidence later, during the evidence stage. Cathca explains what to collect and when it must be filed. - [What evidence can I use to defend my trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-evidence-what): Evidence is usually filed in a statutory declaration with supporting documents. Depending on the reasons for opposition, it may include: - Invoices, packaging, advertisements and photographs showing use of your trademark. - Sales figures and market share. - Records of when you first used the trademark in Malaysia. - Surveys showing that customers recognise the brand. - Evidence that customers have come to identify the brand with your business through its use. - Evidence that the opponent has not used their trademark, where their grounds depend on their own use. Cathca gives you a checklist for your case and helps you organise the evidence. - [Is there another way to resolve an opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-other-route): Yes. An opposition can sometimes be settled through negotiation. The parties may agree to limit the goods or services, change a minor part of the trademark where allowed, or set terms for using both brands. If the agreement removes the reasons for opposition, the opponent can withdraw it. The deadlines continue while you negotiate. Cathca advises on settlement and keeps the required filings on schedule. - [What is a coexistence agreement?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-coexistence): A coexistence agreement sets out how two parties can use their trademarks without conflict. It usually limits where the brands can be used, the goods or services covered, or how the brands are presented. Cathca then informs the Trademark Office and handles the steps needed to resolve the opposition. - [What if the opponent hasn’t used their own trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-non-use): It depends on which rights the opponent relies on. - If their case depends on earlier use, evidence that they have not used the trademark can weaken that argument. - If their registered trademark has not been used in Malaysia for three years or more, it may qualify for cancellation for non-use under section 46 of the Trademarks Act 2019. This needs a separate High Court application. If successful, it may remove the basis of the opposition. Cathca checks the notice and evidence to see which option may apply. - [How much does it cost to defend a trademark opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-cost): Cathca charges RM4,500 to prepare, file and serve the Counter-Statement. The cost after that depends on whether the opponent continues. If they do not file evidence, their opposition is treated as withdrawn and you succeed without further cost. If they continue, we quote for each later stage before starting it. - [Can I keep using my trademark during the opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-use): An opposition does not itself stop you using the brand. It decides whether the trademark can be registered. But the brand is not registered yet. If the opponent has earlier rights, they may still bring an infringement or passing-off claim. Cathca can check that risk while handling the opposition. - [What if the opponent is based overseas?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-overseas): The Malaysian process and your reply deadlines stay the same. An overseas opponent must appoint a registered Malaysian trademark agent to act and receive documents for them. Cathca handles your response through the Malaysian process. - [Can I file the Counter-Statement myself?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/oppositions#question-opposition-self): Yes, if you live in Malaysia or mainly run your business here. You can file your own Counter-Statement. The reply must answer the legal grounds and fit the later evidence stages. Missing a required step or deadline can cost you the application. Cathca prepares the reply, helps with evidence and manages the deadlines, including when the opponent has professional representation. - [Someone has applied to register my brand name. Can I stop them?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-stop-application): Yes. You can oppose the application after it is accepted and published in the Intellectual Property Official Journal, known as the gazette. You have two months from publication to file a Notice of Opposition. You can ask for up to two more months, but approval is not automatic. Send Cathca the application details promptly. We check your grounds and the deadline. - [Can I oppose if my own trademark isn’t registered?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-own-registered): Yes, if you have valid legal grounds. Your own trademark does not have to be registered. - If it is registered, you may rely on your earlier registration and the risk of customers confusing the brands. - If it is unregistered, earlier use may give you passing-off rights. Those rights can support an opposition under section 24(4) of the Trademarks Act 2019. Cathca checks the evidence of your rights before preparing the opposition. - [What if the two-month window has passed, or they have already registered it?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-window-passed): You may still be able to challenge the trademark after registration, but it usually takes longer and costs more than opposing during the two-month window. Your earlier use and passing-off rights may support a High Court application to invalidate the registration under section 47(3)(b) of the Trademarks Act 2019. Malaysia generally favours the first to file, but earlier use still matters. The grounds become more limited five years after registration. Cathca checks the registration and your earlier evidence before advising on the next step. - [What happens after I file a Notice of Opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-after-filing): The applicant gets a chance to defend the application, followed by evidence and written submissions: 1. You file the Notice of Opposition (TMD1) within two months of gazette publication. 2. The applicant has two months from receiving it to file a Counter-Statement (TMD6). Without it, the application is normally withdrawn for the goods or services opposed, unless the Registrar directs otherwise. 3. You file evidence within two months of receiving the Counter-Statement. 4. The applicant files evidence within two months of receiving your evidence. 5. You may file evidence in reply within two months of receiving theirs. 6. Both sides file written submissions on the Registrar’s timetable. The Registrar then gives a written decision. Cathca handles the documents and deadlines at each stage. - [What evidence do I need to oppose a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-oppose-evidence): You need evidence of your earlier rights and why the other application conflicts with them. It is usually filed in a statutory declaration with documents such as: - Invoices, receipts, advertisements and website records showing use before the other party’s filing date. - Records of how long you have traded, sales and turnover. - Evidence that customers know your brand in the local market. - A comparison of how the trademarks look, sound and what they mean. - A comparison of the goods or services. - Evidence that the applicant knew about your brand. Cathca helps you identify and organise the evidence relevant to your case. - [How much does it cost to oppose a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-oppose-cost): Cathca charges RM4,500 to prepare, file and serve the Notice of Opposition. If the applicant does not file a Counter-Statement, their application is normally withdrawn for the goods or services opposed, unless the Registrar directs otherwise. You succeed without further cost. If they defend, we quote for each later stage before starting it. - [What happens if I win the opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-win): The Registrar refuses the other party’s application, or limits it so it no longer conflicts with yours. Your earlier rights remain protected. - [What happens if I lose the opposition?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-lose): The other party’s trademark proceeds to registration unless a High Court appeal succeeds. They then gain the rights that come with registration. This can cause problems for your business: - Customers may confuse the brands and blame you for the other party’s poor quality. - Online platforms may refuse to remove listings backed by a valid registration. - The new owner may send you a letter demanding that you stop using the brand. - Uncertainty over the name may put off investors, franchisees and partners. Removing the registration later needs High Court proceedings and costs more than an opposition. Cathca explains these risks when advising whether to oppose or appeal. - [Do I need a trademark agent to oppose a trademark?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-agent): You can represent yourself if you live in Malaysia or mainly run your business here. Otherwise, you must appoint a registered Malaysian trademark agent. An opposition needs legal grounds, supporting evidence and filings before strict deadlines. Cathca checks your earlier rights, prepares the case and handles the process, including where the applicant has professional representation. - [Someone is using my brand name. What can I do?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-what-to-do): Keep evidence of what you found, then ask Cathca to check your trademark position before you act. Save screenshots, photographs, links and dates. The next step depends on the situation: - If you have a registered trademark, a letter asking the other party to stop is usually the first step. Court action may follow if the use continues. - If their conflicting application is in the gazette, you can file an opposition within two months of publication. We explain which route fits and what evidence is needed. - [What counts as trademark infringement in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-infringement): Trademark infringement can happen when someone uses your registered trademark in business without permission. Section 54 of the Trademarks Act 2019 covers situations including: - The same trademark used for the same goods or services. - The same or a similar trademark used for the same or similar goods or services, where customers are likely to be confused. The use can appear in advertisements, invoices or offers of services. Cathca can review your registration and the other party’s use, explain the issue in plain language and advise on your options. - [What is a cease and desist letter?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-cease-desist): A cease and desist letter formally asks someone to stop using a brand that infringes your registered trademark. It identifies your registration and the use you are challenging. If the use continues, the next steps may include a formal infringement notice and court action. Cathca can assess your rights and evidence before you decide on the next step. - [Can I report a copycat brand to MyIPO?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-report): MyIPO handles trademark registrations. It does not police how brands are used in the marketplace. - Counterfeit goods or misleading trading practices can be reported to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011. - If your brand is unregistered, a passing-off claim in court remains the main route. Cathca can explain which route fits what happened and the rights you hold. - [How do I check if a brand is already registered or in the gazette?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-check-register): Registered trademarks appear on the Register of Trademarks. Accepted applications appear in the Intellectual Property Official Journal, known as the gazette. Cathca can search for you and explain the results. Our RM500 Kickstarter package includes written findings and a risk analysis to help you decide whether to proceed. - [Can I stop someone if my trademark isn’t registered?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-unregistered-rights): You may be able to, if you can show that customers in Malaysia know the brand as yours through earlier use. The legal claim is called passing off. Without registration, section 159 of the Trademarks Act 2019 prevents a trademark infringement claim. Section 159(2) keeps the separate right to sue for passing off. You must prove your reputation and the harm caused. That can take longer and cost more than enforcing a registered trademark. Cathca reviews your evidence and explains the options. - [What do I need to prove in a passing-off claim?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-passing-off-prove): You need to prove three things: 1. Goodwill: customers in your market know the brand as yours. 2. Misrepresentation: the other party’s use makes people think their goods or services come from you. 3. Damage: you have lost, or are likely to lose, sales or reputation because of it. - [Is passing off harder to win than an infringement claim?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-passing-off-harder): Generally, yes. Trademark registration is evidence of ownership and protects the goods or services listed in it across Malaysia. For passing off, you must prove that customers know your brand, that the other party causes confusion, and that you have suffered or are likely to suffer harm. This usually takes longer and costs more. Cathca can review the evidence before you decide whether to pursue a claim. - [Someone is copying my unregistered brand. What should I do first?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-unregistered-first-steps): Keep the evidence first. Have your earlier rights checked before approaching the other party. 1. Save screenshots, photographs, listings, dates and locations. 2. Gather proof of your earlier use, such as invoices, business records, advertisements and customer reviews. 3. Have a professional explain your earlier rights in a letter asking the other party to stop. 4. Apply to register your own trademark to strengthen your position. 5. If the copying continues, seek advice on a passing-off claim. Cathca helps organise the facts and identify the right next step. - [Can I stop someone who started using my brand after me but before I filed?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-unregistered-started-after): You may have a passing-off claim if customers already knew the brand as yours before the other party started using it. The dates and evidence of that reputation matter. Cathca can review your business records with you. Acting early helps preserve the evidence. - [What if they used the brand before me but never registered it?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-unregistered-started-before): They may have earlier rights even though they never registered the trademark. We need to check who built a reputation first and where customers know the brand. Cathca can review that history before you approach the other party or file an application. - [What can a court order in a passing-off case?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-passing-off-remedies): A court may order the other party to: - Stop using the brand, through an injunction. - Pay compensation for your losses. - Hand over profits made from the misuse. - Surrender materials bearing the brand. The order depends on the case and the evidence of your rights and loss. - [Should I register my trademark now, even with a dispute going on?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-unregistered-register-now): Registration can strengthen your position, but Cathca should check earlier rights before you file during a dispute. A registration gives you: - The right to bring a trademark infringement claim under the Trademarks Act 2019. - Evidence of ownership, so there is less to prove in court. - Protection across Malaysia for the goods or services listed. - Stronger grounds to oppose conflicting applications. It does not automatically defeat someone who has continuously used the name since before your filing or first use. Cathca checks that history and explains the risk of an opposition from an earlier user. - [Do I need to know which legal procedure applies?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/similar-brand#question-similar-brand): No. Send Cathca your brand or trademark number and an example of what concerns you. We explain the process, the information needed and your options before you decide. We can then prepare the required documents and guide you through the appropriate service. - [What are the Madrid Protocol fees from Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international#question-intl-fees): The cost of a Madrid Protocol application depends on the countries and classes you choose. It includes the Trademark Office’s handling fee, WIPO’s basic fee, fees for the chosen countries and fees for each class beyond three. A colour trademark has a higher WIPO basic fee. Countries may also set their own individual fees. Cathca checks the current WIPO fees and gives you a full quotation, including our professional fee, before filing. - [Should I file through the Madrid Protocol or directly in each country?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international#question-intl-madrid-or-direct): Cathca recommends a route based on your target countries, who will own the trademark and your Malaysian application or registration. Direct filing may suit you if: - You do not yet have a Malaysian registration. - You need protection in only a few countries. - A country is outside the Madrid system, such as Taiwan or Myanmar. - Different owners are needed in different countries. The Madrid Protocol can suit a settled Malaysian registration covering several member markets. For the first five years, the international registration depends on the Malaysian trademark. We compare the routes and handle the filings with our overseas associates. - [Which countries are Madrid Protocol members?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international#question-intl-members): The Madrid system covers most major markets used by Malaysian exporters. Myanmar and Taiwan are outside it, so protection there needs direct filing. Malaysia joined as the 106th member on 27 December 2019. Cathca checks WIPO’s current member list for your target countries and arranges direct applications where Madrid is unavailable. - [How long does an overseas trademark application take?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international#question-intl-how-long): The time depends on the country. Cathca’s overseas associates give these typical estimates: - Singapore and the Philippines: about three to six months. - Taiwan: six to eight months. - China: eight to ten months. - Thailand: ten to twelve months. - Indonesia: twelve to eighteen months. - Vietnam: sixteen to twenty months. Cathca follows up with the relevant offices and keeps you informed until registration. - [How does international trademark filing in Malaysia work with Cathca?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/international#question-intl-how): Cathca handles international trademark filing with our overseas associate firms. Tell us where you trade or plan to expand. We then: 1. Check the rules in each target country. 2. Arrange a trademark search where useful. 3. Recommend direct filing or the Madrid Protocol. 4. Quote for the countries and classes involved. 5. Coordinate the applications and replies to any trademark office concerns. You receive advice and updates through Cathca throughout the process. - [How much does a patent cost in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-1): The total cost depends on the type of patent application and the stages it reaches. There are fees for filing and examination. The examination fee is lower where the modified-examination route relies on a foreign patent grant. Annual fees apply after grant and increase over time. Cathca’s quotation shows the official fees and our professional fee before work begins. - [How long does a patent last in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-2): A Malaysian patent lasts 20 years from filing, provided you pay the annual fees from the second year after grant. You can pay a missed annual fee within six months with an extra charge. A lapsed patent can be reinstated within twelve months of the lapse notice if the missed payment was accidental. - [What cannot be patented in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-3): The Patents Act 1983 excludes certain things from patent protection, including: - Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods. - Plant or animal varieties and mainly biological processes. - Business methods, mental methods and rules for games. - Methods of treating the human or animal body. A technical product or process must be new, involve an inventive step and be usable in industry. Cathca can help assess the appropriate application route. - [Can I still patent my invention after showing it to customers?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-4): You may still be able to apply for a Malaysian patent. It depends on what you showed and when. The Act allows a twelve-month grace period for disclosure by the applicant. Showing or selling the invention within the twelve months before filing does not, by itself, prevent an application. Earlier or wider disclosures can affect whether it qualifies. Before showing it further, tell Cathca what you disclosed, to whom and when. We can assess the filing position with you. - [How long does patent registration take in Malaysia?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-5): The time to get a patent depends on examination and the replies needed. There is no published standard duration for the normal examination route. - The application is published eighteen months after filing. - Examination must be requested within eighteen months of filing. - The grant date depends on when examination is requested and how the examination report is answered. Cathca explains the stages and checks whether expedited examination may suit your case. We quote before making the request. - [What is a utility innovation?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/patent#question-patent-6): A utility innovation protects a technical improvement. It does not need to meet a patent’s inventive-step test. An examiner still reviews the application. Protection lasts ten years from filing. It can be extended twice for five years each, with proof that it is used in Malaysia. The application fee is lower than for a patent. Cathca explains which route fits and shows the cost in the quotation. - [Is copyright notification the same as trademark registration?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/copyright#question-copyright): No. Copyright notification and trademark registration concern different rights. - Copyright protects qualifying original work. It can arise automatically when the legal conditions are met. - A trademark identifies your business’s goods or services so customers can tell them apart from others. Voluntary copyright notification with MyIPO records information about the copyright. Cathca can help identify which protection fits your work or brand. Sources: [MyIPO · Voluntary copyright notification](https://www.myipo.gov.my/notifying-copyright/), [MyIPO · Frequently asked questions](https://www.myipo.gov.my/faq/). - [What does Cathca's Gazette watch cover?](https://cathca-ip.com/services/gazette-watch#question-gazette): Cathca’s Gazette watch tracks your trademark’s publication and status during the agreed watch period. We flag relevant changes and explain the next step for registration or a response. Before you ask us to proceed, we confirm which application is covered, how long the watch lasts and any certificate arrangements. ## Primary sources - [MyIPO · Frequently asked questions](https://www.myipo.gov.my/faq/) - [MyIPO · Trademark guidance](https://www.myipo.gov.my/trademark-act/) - [MyIPO · Voluntary copyright notification](https://www.myipo.gov.my/notifying-copyright/) - [MyIPO · Patent basics](https://www.myipo.gov.my/patent-basics/) - [MyIPO · Managing your trademark](https://www.myipo.gov.my/managing-your-trademark/) - [MyIPO · Acceptance, publication and registration](https://www.myipo.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Chapter-10-Acceptance-Publication-and-Registration.pdf) - [WIPO · The international trademark application process](https://www.wipo.int/en/web/madrid-system/how_to/file/basics)