From Malaysia to the rest of the world, McDonald’s has long and zealously guarded its famous “Mc-” trademarks, and few countries have seen as many colourful battles as Malaysia. Nearly every foodie or restauranteur here remembers “that McCurry case”. Although…
The theme for World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April 2025 is “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP” and in celebration of such an important aspect of copyright, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) says: From the rhythms…
1. What is the Buzz?With the advent of Industry 4.0, there have been many trending words being thrown around that the ordinary IP or business owner on the Malaysian street might be swept away by the hype without a clear…
What is in a name? Can one be entitled to use it legally as a trademark? The answers may be gleaned from the recently decided case of Diesel S.P.A. v Bontton Sdn Bhd [2020] MLJU 715. In response to a trademark…
After close to a decade of intermittent discussions, proposals, referendums and making up for lost time between the powers-that-be and stakeholders, the new Trademarks Bill (and soon to be Act) of 2019 finally see the light of day. This would…
In Heineken Asia Pacific Pte Ltd v Super La Via Sdn Bhd [2019] MLJU 117, the Plaintiff is a company incorporated in Singapore and part of the Heineken Group which produces, packages, distributes, markets and sells more than 50 acclaimed beer, non-alcoholic…
It has been more than a year since the High Court’s decision (for a refresher of the case please click ) and both parties have kept themselves extremely busy both on the business and legal front. Will Group Sdn Bhd, who…
Not many legal disputes capture the imagination of Malaysians like a good and scintillating food feud. We are referring to none other than the CHATIME bubble tea tug-of-war that has played out in the media extensively in the last six…
In Malaysia, good food captures the heart of the nation and unites us as one. Malaysians will travel far and wide just to try out that newly-discovered food craze, cook up a storm for family and friends for various occasions…
‘Dodol’ is a thick, sticky and sweet toffee-like confection made from coconut milk, jaggery, and rice flour. It is popular in many parts of South and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. When it comes to such local delicacies in Malaysia, Tan…
After seven years of (some claim secretive) negotiations, on 05 October 2015 Malaysia together with eleven other countries (Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Peru, United States of America and Vietnam) reached a multilateral free trade agreement…
The Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 in Australia has set in motion a global debate. The Australian Act mandates that the design of tobacco products and their packaging be standardized so that only the brand name can be retained in…
The deep-seated need for every brand owner to secure exclusive rights to use a trade mark does not discriminate when it comes to the source of the mark or identity of the owner. This is regardless of whether the owner…
Time has certainly flown by since this writer’s initial article on the topic in August 2012. Fast forward to June 2014, it is now the second anniversary of the voluntary notification system for copyright coming into force in Malaysia. In…