Ahmad Lai, accompanied by Vincent, signing the guest book at MyIPO’s office at Queen’s Court in Kuching.

KUCHING: Innovators and entrepreneurs in the state are urged to apply for Intellectual Property (IP) rights to protect their work.

Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) state director, Vincent Lejau, said from January 2011 to July this year, his office received 1,038 applications for ‘IP Grants’.

“About 80 per cent of these applications were approved,” he said during a networking session with the media at his office here yesterday.

Present was MyIPO board member Ahmad Lai Bujang, who is also Sibuti MP.

According to Vincent, there are various forms of IPs – inventions, brand names, books, films, trade secrets, or artistic designs – and they are divided into six components, namely Patents, Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Geographical Indications, Layout Design of Integrated Circuits, and Copyrights.

Of the 1,038 applications received since 2011, 809 were for Trademarks, 185 (Copyrights), 20 (Geographical Indications), 15 (Patents), and nine (Industrial Designs).

“We believe more people will apply for IP Grants if they know the roles of MyIPO in the state better,” he said.

Besides creating awareness through mass media, MyIPO has also been conducting 152 seminars and workshops across the state since 2011.

Vincent opined that many things in Sarawak, with its diverse culture and unique lifestyles, had IP potential.

Kek Lapis (layered cakes) and Sarawak Pepper have long been granted these grants, and recent additions are Durian Ukak Sibuti, Midin Sarawak, Timun Sarawak, and Buah Terap Sibuti.

“These products are unique to Sarawak. We hope more (innovators and entrepreneurs) would apply for IP grants,” he said, adding that application and approval of such grant were conducted on a `first-come-first serve’ basis.