Malaysia

IP specialist Advanz Fidelis is known for its focus on clients’ business strategies. The firm houses a large team of professionals, from various technical backgrounds, who advise on prosecution, opposition and infringement proceedings. It also manages IP portfolios and draft patent applications for corporate clients. Jern Ern Chuah, CEO and founder of the firm, is a leading IP practitioner in the country.

The IP team at full-service firm Azmi & Associates is rapidly building its reputation with a focus on information technology and media and telecommunications. Some of its notable work includes assisting with the review of documentation in respect of IP financing in Malaysia from financial institutions planning to accepting IP as collateral. It also advises on the protection of rights in products developed by IT clients and assists in the subsequent commercialization through licensing or outright sales and assignments.

Established in 1962 and 1986, respectively, Chooi & Company and Cheang & Ariff were mid-sized law firms that have grown to become respected and recognized for their dispute resolution practice and corporate and financial services practice. Now as Chooi & Company + Cheang & Ariff, the firm offers a full range of legal services that focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, criminal law and public interest disputes. Top litigator Loh Siew Cheang leads the practice. 

Formed in 2003 as a result of a merger among three Malaysian law firms, Christopher & Lee Ong handles antitrust and competition matters – from investigations to antitrust factors of M&As or joint venture transactions, audits and corporate structuring. The team led by managing partner Yon See Ting focuses on matters relating to communications, aviation and the energy sector. 

Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, launched its combination with Malaysian firm Zain & Co., a full-service firm with a solid reputation and strong credentials. Zain & Co.’s key practice areas include intellectual property, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, real estate, banking, and Islamic banking and finance. The firm is developing new practice areas in high-net worth Islamic estate planning, cybersecurity, blockchain, construction adjudication, film and media. Dentons already has a strong presence in Singapore and Myanmar, both members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and have also announced a combination with a law firm in Indonesia. Managing partner Zain Azlan Zain Azahari is a kay contact in Kuala Lumpur. November 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Zain & Co.’s founding.

With a team of more than 70 professionals from various areas of specialty in Malaysia, leading IP agency Henry Goh & Co. offers a range of services include prefiling patentability advice, filing and prosecution, renewals, maintenance, advice on exploitation and enforcement. It is also capable of undertaking prosecution work before the Registrar. Executive director Dave A. Wyatt heads the patent and industrial design team, joined by managing director Karen Goh, and executive directors Joanne Wong and Tham Sau Yin. 

Founded in 1999, IP specialist firm KASS International provides advisory and consultation services in all IP issues including the filing, prosecution and maintenance of IP rights. In addition to drafting IP related agreements, it is involved in the identification, valuation, servicing, protection, management and commercial exploitation of IP rights. Some of its clients include the Asian Football Confederation, the Association of Malaysia Medical Industries, Senheng Electric and Kendek Industry. It has offices in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Yangon and Singapore. Director Geetha Kandiah is supported by founder and director P. Kandiah and country manager Carola Monintja, who oversees the Indonesia market.

LAW Partnership is helmed by managing partner and IP co-head Brian Law, IP co-head Suaran Singh Sidhu, and Cheah Chiew Lan. Brian Law has recently represented a Japanese battery manufacturer in successfully invalidating and expunging a substantially similar trademark in Malaysia on the basis that it was, among others, obtained by way of fraud, and represented one of the largest security seal manufacturers in managing its global trademark and patent portfolio, and in securing a permanent injunction and paid settlement sum in a successful patent infringement claim in Malaysia.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s services extend to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang. The firm assists domestic and international clients in managing, protecting, exploiting and enforcing IP rights. It has acted for the Prime Minister of Malaysia in providing legal strategy on the nation’s branding. Partners Bahari Yeow Tien Hong and Adlin Abdul Majid are key practitioners. The firm acted for Fortune 500 company PPG Industries on its passing-off and trademark infringement claims.

Well-established IP specialist Marks & Clerk handles all areas of intellectual property, with particular strengths in life science, information technology and electronics. The firm has a global reputation for delivering quality parent prosecution and its Malaysia office handles patent drafting to UK and European standards. The Kuala Lumpur office is led by directors Gerald Samuel and Chris Hemingway. 

Boutique network Mirandah Asia has been serving IP owners in the region for over 25 years. The family-run business has offices in Malaysia and 10 other Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. The firm handles both non-contentious and contentious work for patent, trademark, copyright, design, domain names and geographic indications. Patrick Mirandah, founder and CEO, is based in Kuala Lumpur; its Singapore office, led by Gladys Mirandah, coordinates the activities of all Asian offices.

The IP and technology team at Rahmat Lim & Partners offers a wide range of contentious and non-contentious IP-related services and advises on a broad spectrum of enforcement, management and transactional issues. The firm assists clients in making urgent court applications for injunctions and search and seizure orders as well as participating in raid actions. Partner Pauline Khor, head of the intellectual property and technology department, is known for her fresh perspective and creative resolutions and has 18 years of experience advising and acting for foreign and local multinational companies. Notable clients include Chanel, Walt Disney, Sony and Philips. The firm won the 2019 Asia IP Malaysia copyright firm of the year award.

Founded in 1964, commercial law firm Raja, Darryl & Loh brings commercial and corporate elements into IP matters as lawyers provide holistic solutions to problems for clients including Microsoft, HP and Sharp. Partner Phye Keat Chew heads corporate and commercial, and has a significant practice in commercial, corporate, ICT and IP laws, with notable cases including advising Petrofac on the defense of alleged patent infringement claims on offshore platforms. He is also focusing on competition law as a new practice. Partner Yvonne Ong, head of the IP practice group, focuses on the protection and enforcement of patent, trademark and copyright. She has acted for Bridgestone on trademark, patent and design matters.

Established in 1973, mid-sized firm Ram Caroline Sha & Syah provides a full spectrum of legal services with particular strength in the areas of intellectual property, general litigation and conveyancing. Practice areas include registration of patents, trademarks and industrial design, statutory declarations for copyright and IP licensing. Managing partner Caroline Francis is a key contact.

Full-service firm Shearn Delamore & Co’s IP practice is led by Karen Abraham, with its IP team providing professional services for more than 40 years and being widely recognized as one of the leading firms for patent filing, patent infringement and invalidation actions in Malaysia. Some of its notable clients include Marriott, Hermes, Formula One Management and British American Tobacco. Other top practitioners include Jyeshta Mahendran, Indran Shanmuganathan, Timothy Siaw and Yap Khai Jian. The firm was named the 2019 Asia IP patent firm of the year for Malaysia.

Corporate law firm Shook Lin & Bok is one of the oldest firms in Malaysia, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018. Its IP team is recognized for its services in litigious matters as well as filings and prosecutions. Michael Soo, who is deputy managing partner of the firm and leads the firm’s IP and IT departments, was a former president of Malaysia Intellectual Property Association and currently the president of Asian Patent Attorneys Association. In recent years, he successfully defended one of the largest civil engineering firms in Malaysia as lead counsel in a trial involving alleged copyright infringement of several well-known brands of software.

Skrine’s sizeable IP department provides comprehensive IP services with an excellent track record in contentious and advisory matters. The firm acted for Dyson in patent dispute involving its bladeless fan technology. Recently, it also successfully has Ronic Corporation’s application for leave to appeal to the Federal Court dismissed in its infringement claim against Cadware. Partner Charmayne Ong Poh Yin acts as head of the intellectual property division, joined by partners and leading practitioners including Khoo Guan Huat and Leela Devi Baskaran.

IP boutique Sreenevasan specializes in litigation with IP being its primary field of expertise. Renowned litigator Ambiga Sreenevasan established and leads the firm alongside co-founding partner Janini Rajeswaran. The firm focuses on intellectual property litigation and advisory work and is particularly well-versed in conducting enforcement proceedings and anti-piracy actions.

Established in 1989, the IP team at commercial law firm Tay & Partners is recognized for its professional services in registration and prosecution, copyright protection, enforcement and IP transaction. Partner Lin Li Lee, who heads the IP, data protection and technology, multimedia and telecommunications practice groups, focuses on contentious matters involving patent, trade mark, copyright and industrial design infringement and passing off including anti-counterfeiting actions. She also regularly advises on cross-border transactions including franchising, licensing, technology transfer and transfer of ownership.

Wong & Partners, the Malaysia member firm of Baker McKenzie, is known for its work in patent litigation, filing and strategies. The firm has been engaged by La Pointique against its previous distributor, SJC Solex, in trademark infringement cases. Lead partner Kherk Ying Chew, one of the top litigators in the country, heads up the practice, which has advised clients both major Malaysian companies like Measat Broadcast Network Systems as well as international businesses. 

IP and technology boutique Wong Jin Nee & Teo provides a wide-spectrum of IP and technology law services and is renowned for its work in trademark application, litigation, as well as brand protection and enforcement work. Partners Jin Nee Wong and Bong Kwang Teo are recognized for their expertise in handling both litigation and non-contentious matters that extend to integrated IP services including portfolio management and exploitation both locally and abroad. The firm was named the 2019 Asia IP trademark firm of the year for Malaysia.

As part of the ZICO Law network, Zaid Ibrahim & Co provides a full range of IP law services encompassing both contentious and non-contentious aspects of IP since 2014. Its IP team has a shining reputation in the field thanks to the leadership of seasoned IP specialist Linda Wang who is experienced in IP litigation and disputes in all IP rights.