Myanmar Copyright Law Updates and Registration Process in 2023
The existing Copyright Act in Myanmar came into force on 24 February 1914. According to this law, copyright ownership lasts for the life of the creator plus fifty years after their death. The Act covers literary, dramatic, artistic, and musical works. Key Takeaways Myanmar’s New Copyright Law Enacted – The updated Copyright Act, passed in […]
Battle of the Brands: BEABA v Biba (Zhejiang) Nursing Products
By Sajjaratul Yaqeen As a business owner, you may encounter copycats who create a trademark that bears a striking resemblance to your own registered trademark. When faced with such situations, what do you do? What action can you take?
What is the code of your consciousness?: Exploring the Language of Your Thoughts
By Jasmine Lim You won’t usually think about this, but we think in a language. For most, that language is most likely their mother tongue. For others, it is the language that they grew up with (that’s why non-English people can be native English speakers).
[The Intern Interview] Kavinarasi Thavanendran
The KASS team recently welcomed Kavinarasi, an enthusiastic and resourceful intern from Malaysia!
Malaysia Cracks Down on Unregistered Medical Devices and Counterfeit Shoes
RM300,000 (USD65,000) worth of unregistered medical devices were seized by the Medical Device Authority of Malaysia recently. Among the unregistered medical devices were face masks, pregnancy test kits, first aid kits, blood lancets and gauze. The medical devices had not been registered under the Medical Devices Act 2012. The Ministry of Health is to take […]
IP in ASEAN: Where Cooperation Meets Innovation
By Linh Nguyen As one of the world’s most dynamic emerging regions, the ASEAN region has achieved notable success in capturing the attention of other nations worldwide in terms of investment opportunities and economic development. ASEAN has nurtured comprehensive cooperation in politics, economics, society, and culture through the establishment of policies, collaborative platforms, training, and […]
You Snooze, You Lose: Oatly AB v Pahang Pharmacy
By Kavinarasi Thavanendran Budding business owners know that registering their trademark is an essential move in order to protect their brand. But they shouldn’t get complacent, because nothing is permanent! In the case of Oatly AB v Pahang Pharmacy Sdn Bhd (2022), the premise is simple: Use it or lose it. Key Takeaways Oatly AB […]
From Monopoly to Mandatory: Exploring Compulsory Licensing of Patents in Vietnam
By Ngan Pham An invention is the creation of a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something or a new technical solution to an existing problem, that involves enormous intellectual and financial investment. Thus, to reward innovators and stimulate R&D activities and technological innovation, patent law grants […]
R&D Status in Malaysia: Updated Criteria and Tax Incentives
By Kavinarasi Thavanendran An amendment to Section 2 of the Promotion and Investment Act 1986 (“PIA 1986”) altered the definition of “Contract R&D Company” and “R&D Company” in Malaysia. According to PIA 1986: Contract R&D Company means, “a company which provides R&D services in Malaysia only to companies other than its related companies and approved […]
Stronger Than the Rest: The Importance of Distinctiveness in Trademarks
By Kavinarasi Thavanendran Trademarks fulfil two basic functions: (i) to identify the source of goods or services and (ii) to differentiate similar goods or services amongst competitors. In order for a trademark to effectively carry out this “threshold requirement”, it must be distinctive. Key Takeaways Trademark Function – Trademarks must identify the source and differentiate […]