Step-by-step Guide on How to Register Trademark in Malaysia

Registering a trademark Malaysia is a 6-step process done through MyIPO. Although it sounds complicated, it really isn’t, especially when you consider the stakes involved.

If you’ve got a logo, name, or slogan that defines your brand, it’s time to protect it by registering a trademark in Malaysia. As of 2025, Malaysia has streamlined its trademark process under the Trademarks Act 2019, making it easier for businesses to secure their identity. 

What Is a Trademark and Why Does It Matter in 2025?

A trademark protects your brand’s identity from being copied or misused.

In Malaysia, a trademark can be a word, logo, slogan, colour, or even a sound. It distinguishes your goods or services from others in the market. Once registered, it gives you exclusive rights to use that mark in commerce.

“Trademark protection is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to legally protect your brand.” 

This means you can sue for infringement, assign the trademark to someone else, or license it out for profit. It also means no one can imitate or try to copycat your brand.

Types of Trademarks Recognised in Malaysia

What Happens If You Don’t Register Your Trademark in Malaysia?

Without registration, you risk losing brand ownership and legal protection.

Failure to register your trademark means:

• You can’t use the ® symbol legally
• Others can register a similar or identical mark before you do
• You’ll need to rely on “common law” rights (passing off), which are harder to enforce and require more evidence
• You may lose market share or customer trust if a competitor copies your mark

Not registering your trademark leaves your brand exposed, once someone else registers it, you could even be forced to rebrand. In serious cases, if another party registers your unprotected brand, you may face legal restrictions on using your own name and could be required to:

• Remove the mark from all goods and platforms
• Pay damages or cease operations involving the disputed brand

Who Can Register a Trademark in Malaysia

You can register a trademark if you are:

• A Malaysian citizen or company

• A sole proprietor, partnership, NGO, or corporation

• A foreign individual or business with a registered local agent

Foreign applicants must appoint a local agent

Under the Trademarks Act 2019, foreign applicants are not allowed to submit applications directly to MyIPO. They must appoint a registered Malaysian trademark agent to act on their behalf.

This is required to:

• Enforce compliance with MyIPO rules and procedures

• Handle legal objections or opposition cases

• Maintain clear and timely communication during the process

Applications submitted without a local agent may be rejected by MyIPO.

How to Register Trademark in Malaysia

The trademark process involves six main steps through MyIPO, the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia. Here’s the simplified journey:

Step 1: Check If Your Trademark Is Available

Start by searching MyIPO’s database for similar marks. Before spending time and money on an application, verify that your trademark is original and not confusingly similar to an existing one.

How to Search:

• Visit the MyIPO IP Online Search
  
• Search by:
  
  • Brand name
    
  • Device or keyword
    
  • Goods/services class
    
  • Application/registration number (for cross-checks)
    

What to Look Out For:

• Same or similar spelling or pronunciation
  
• Similar logos or colour usage
  
• Same or overlapping class identification for trademark (Class 12 is for vehicles, class 15 music instruments, etc) 

We recommend using a professional IP agent, or a professional accounting service for a clearance search, especially if your mark is generic or close to an industry norm.

Step 2: Prepare Your Trademark Application

Once you have confirmed that your trademark is indeed original, it’s time to do the paperwork. Gather all documents and decide your filing class.

You’ll need to:

• Choose who is applying (you or your company)
  
• Prepare a clear image if it’s a logo or device
  
• Choose your Nice Classification (Class 1–34 are goods, while class 35-45 are for services)
  
• Draft a description of your goods/services
  

Documents Checklist:

• TM application form (TMA2A or TMA2B)
  
• Logo image (if applicable)
  
• Details of goods/services
  
• Applicant NRIC/company registration
  
• Priority documents (if claiming foreign filing)

Trademark Graphic Size for Logos

If registering a logo or device mark:

• Your graphic must be no smaller than 2 cm × 2 cm and no larger than 20 cm × 20 cm.
  
• This applies to all digital uploads and manual registrations.

Step 3: Submit Your Application to MyIPO

You can submit your trademark application either online or manually through MyIPO’s official channels.

Submission Channels:

Application Fees:

• RM 950 (standard goods description – Form TMA2A)
  
• RM 1,100 (customised goods description – Form TMA2B)
  
• RM 50 for each additional variant in a series

“Each trademark class is treated separately. Filing in multiple classes means paying the base fee per class.”

Payment Methods:

Payable to Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia.

• Cash (manual submission only)
  
• Cheque
  
• Money Order
  
• Bank Draft
  
• Credit Card

For online submissions, credit cards or FPX (online banking) may also be offered based on portal availability.

Step 4: Wait for Examination

MyIPO examines your application in two stages, formal and substantive.

Formality Check: Are all required documents and fields completed?

Substantive Check: A MyIPO examiner will evaluate whether your mark is:

• Distinctive (not generic or descriptive)
  
• Non-conflicting (not confusingly similar to earlier marks)
  
• Legally compliant (not misleading, offensive, or prohibited)

Typical timeline: 6 – 9 months

If approved, the mark proceeds to publication. If objected, MyIPO will issue an official notice, and you’ll have to respond using Form TMF1.

Common delays and objections include vague class descriptions, poor-quality logos, or marks that sound too similar to existing ones.

Step 5: Publication in the Government Gazette

If accepted, your trademark is published for public opposition.

• Publication duration: 2 months (non-extendable)
  
• Appears in the Government Gazette and MyIPO’s online database
  
• Any third party can file an opposition within this window

Possible Outcomes:

• No opposition → The mark proceeds to registration
  
• Opposition filed → You must respond using Form TMF2

Opposition isn’t common, but it can delay registration by several months if an unscrupulous competitor catches wind of your registration.

Step 6: Trademark Registration & Certificate

Once the opposition period passes (or is resolved), congratulations! Your mark is officially registered.

• You’ll receive a Certificate of Registration (Form TMJ4)
  
• Valid for 10 years from the filing date
  
• Renewable every 10 years with Form TME1 (fee: RM 1,000)
  
• Use the ® symbol to signal your legal ownership

 Renewal Notes:

• Grace period for late renewal: 6 months with penalty
  
• Reinstatement possible within 1 year after expiry (higher fee)

“Registered trademarks grant you full enforcement rights under the Trademarks Act 2019, including the right to sue, assign, license, and seize counterfeits at customs.”

Trademarks in Malaysia are subject to revocation under Section 46 if:

• The mark has not been used in 3 consecutive years
• There’s no valid reason for non-use

Read more: What is a Business License? (Lesen Perniagaan)

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Trademark in Malaysia in 2025?

Expect to spend between RM950–1,100 per class of goods/services if it’s pre-approved by MyIPO. Here’s a breakdown.

While it might sound like a lot of money, a trademark protection costs less than RM0.30/day over 10 years. The alternative is to have your trademark and brand stolen by another copycat all because they were willing to go through the trademark registration process.

File Internationally via Madrid Protocol

If you’re planning to expand your brand outside Malaysia, MyIPO supports global registration through the Madrid Protocol.

What You Need:

• An existing Malaysian trademark application
• Decide which countries to protect in
• File an international application via MyIPO (Form MM2)

This allows trademark protection in over 100 countries through a single application and fee.

How Long Does It Take to Register a Trademark in Malaysia?

Typically 12 to 18 months from application to certificate.

Timeline overview:

• Search & prep: 1–2 weeks
• Submission to publication: ~6 months
• Opposition period: 2 months
• Certificate issuance: ~4–6 months (if no objections)

Delays happen if:

• MyIPO requests clarifications
• Your mark is opposed

What Are Common Reasons Trademarks Are Rejected?

Under the Trademarks Act 2019, marks may be rejected based on:

• Absolute Grounds:
  
  • Lacks distinctiveness
  • Descriptive of goods/services
  • Against public policy or morality
  • Contains deceptive or offensive elements
    
• Relative Grounds:
  
  • Similar to existing registered mark
  • Likely to cause confusion among consumers

Knowing this helps you craft a legally sound application from the start.

Need Help Registering Your Trademark in Malaysia?

Still unsure whether your mark qualifies? Need help with classification?

At Accounting.My, we understand that protecting your brand is more than a legal checkbox, it’s a smart business move. That’s why we offer professional trademark registration Malaysia services to help you:

• Verify availability before filing
  
• Choose the correct Nice classes
  
• Avoid costly delays or rejection
  
• Handle objections and oppositions if they arise

We’ll walk you through every step, file it properly the first time, and make sure your brand stays yours.