Copyright, Clicks and Certainty: Malaysia’s Quiet But Consequential Reset
By Amir Murshidi For years, Malaysia’s copyright system has lived with a paradox. On paper, copyright protection in Malaysia has always been strong—automatic, transnational and Berne-compliant. In practice, however, creators, businesses and practitioners alike have grappled with a less elegant reality: a voluntary notification system that drifted between manual queues, intermittent online availability and procedural […]
Beauty and The Beef: A Trademark Feud of Two Brothers
By Maisarah Afifah Few stories capture the collision between family, business and branding as vividly as Chua Beng Hock v FM Skincare Pte Ltd [2025] SGIPOS 2. It is a tale of two brothers, Adam (the Initiator) and Chris, whose shared a belief that beauty is everyone’s right thus, founded Face of Man, a salon […]
Timor-Leste: A Strategic Frontier for Forward-Looking Businesses and Brand Owners
By Carola Monintja A Young Nation with Untapped Potential Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia’s youngest nation, occupies a strategically important position between Indonesia and Australia, two of the region’s most significant economic players. While still in an emerging market, Timor-Leste offers a unique proposition for businesses seeking early entry into a developing economy with long-term growth potential. […]
Client Alert: UK IPO Fee Increases from 01 April 2026
By Jaynthi Kanesarajah The UK government has recently announced increases to official fees for trademarks, patents and registered designs, effective 01 April 2026 (subject to parliamentary approval). The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has issued guidance confirming how the new fees will apply during the transition period. Key Points Applications Renewals The applicable renewal fee depends […]
How to Enforce Your Trademark Rights in Indonesia: A Guide to Protecting Your Brand
By Carola Montinja Indonesia’s legal framework for trademarks is designed to prioritize registration rights under the first-to-file system, meaning that protection is granted to the first party who officially registers a mark, rather than the first to use it. This system underscores the importance of registering your trademark early to secure your rights. Trademark law […]
Kutus Kutus: The Trademark Dispute Behind Indonesia’s Iconic Herbal Oil
By Carola Montinja Kutus Kutus, a traditional herbal rub oil from Bali, Indonesia, is widely recognized across the country. It was created and formulated in 2011 by Servasius Bambang Pranoto (“Bambang”), who, following a serious accident that left him partially paralysed, turned to traditional herbal medicine after finding conventional treatments unsatisfactory. Drawing on decades of […]
Global Innovation Index 2024: Top R&D Leaders and Technological Progress
By Khin Yupar Research and development (R&D) sits at the heart of innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. The Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024 offers valuable insight into how countries invest in R&D—and, more importantly, how effectively those investments translate into real technological progress. While our previous article examined the overall GII 2024 rankings, this […]
Overlap in Business Names, Trade Names & Trademark: Which Should Come First?
By Van Trinh One of the most common and costly mistakes entrepreneurs make is believing that simply registering a business name and using it in daily operations automatically gives them exclusive trademark rights. The truth is, a business name, a trade name, and a trademark are very different concepts, each carrying its own scope of […]
From France to Malaysia: Sokhna’s Marketing Journey at KASS International
Meet Sokhna, our intern from Toulouse – France. After building a solid background in B2B sales, she decided to return to her studies to pursue a more structured and international career in communication and marketing. Eager to gain hands-on experience in a multicultural and fast-paced environment, she chose KASS International for her first professional steps in […]
Transforming Businesses Through Strategic IP Utilization
In a business environment shaped by rapid innovation, shifting markets and increasing competition, intellectual property (IP) has become far more than a legal tool. It is now a strategic engine capable of strengthening business resilience, enhancing competitiveness and driving sustained growth. In an interview with The Global Woman Leader, Geetha K, Managing Director of KASS […]