If Session 1 revealed how compliance determines innovation readiness, Session 2 went straight into another critical truth: an innovation that isn’t protected is an innovation that can be taken, copied, or commercialised by someone else.
Moderated by En Mohd Hafiz Talib of MRANTI, the conversation with MyIPO’s Tuan Mohamad Rahimi Arafpin unpacked the core strategies that innovators must master if they want their ideas to survive long enough to reach the market.
The session began with a simple but urgent reminder: every idea has a “birthdate”, and innovators must secure that timestamp. Whether it’s a patent, trademark, or industrial design filing, registration protects the innovation from being replicated, challenged, or misused—especially once it begins gaining public attention.
Rahimi emphasised the biggest mistake Malaysian innovators still make: showcasing their innovation before protecting it. Pitching at competitions, joining accelerators, sharing prototypes online, or even presenting in front of investors without IP registration exposes innovators to risk. In many cases, opportunistic parties move faster than the original creator.
MyIPO’s Tuan Mohamad Rahimi Arafpin’s advice was unmistakable: file first, reveal later.
From there, the session explored the machinery behind strong IP protection. Patents and industrial designs require extensive documentation—technical details, drawings, claims, and clear proof of originality. The 18-month verification period for patents may feel lengthy, but MyIPO clarified that the timeline exists for a reason: it gives innovators space to refine their invention while securing priority rights.
This is a crucial buffer in a market where competition moves fast, and imitation moves faster.
The session also highlighted how MyIPO supports local industry players beyond the filing process. Through educational programmes, advisory services, and fee discounts, MyIPO aims to reduce barriers for startups and SMEs—many of whom still consider IP registration optional rather than foundational.
A strong IP strategy isn’t only about defence; it is also an enabler. Properly structured IP opens pathways for licensing, collaboration, investor confidence, and international market entry. As Rahimi put it:
“Register your IP before disclosing your product to ensure the innovator’s rights are protected.”
and:
“Strategic IP protection doesn’t just safeguard your innovation, it creates new opportunities for collaboration and market expansion.”
Another important insight surfaced during the discussion: when dealing with complex patent filings, using a professional IP agent often speeds up the process and avoids technical mistakes that could compromise protection later. This is particularly important for deeptech, biotech, or engineering-heavy inventions where precise documentation is critical.
Participants at MINDA MySTI 2025 listening attentively as the panellists unpack the critical steps from prototype to certification, reflecting strong interest in Malaysia’s evolving innovation and compliance landscape.
The outcomes of the session were clear and actionable. Innovators must treat IP as an integral part of early development, not an afterthought. MyIPO stands ready to support them with strategic guidance, but the onus remains on creators to document their ideas, secure their ownership, and register their intellectual property before sharing it with third parties.
In an ecosystem working hard to strengthen Malaysia’s technological competitiveness, this mindset shift is not merely beneficial; it is essential.
