A strong intellectual property rights regime is a cornerstone of a successful knowledge-based economy. As Malaysia moves further up the value chain in industries such as information technology and moves into new industries such as biotechnology, Malaysian government leaders recognize that it is in the country's own national interest to strengthen IPR enforcement. Strong IPR protection gives businesses the confidence to invest in research and development and supports the transition from manufacturing to innovation.

We support the Government of Malaysia's commitment to improving enforcement of this country's IPR laws. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) conducts frequent raids of factories and markets known to produce and sell pirated goods. The U.S. government looks forward to working with MDTCA and other Malaysian agencies to further strengthen their IPR enforcement efforts.

One way our Embassy hopes to contribute to cooperation on IPR protection is this IPR Toolkit. This website is a source of practical information on applying for patents, copyrights, and trademarks as well as coverage and enforcement. I am grateful to the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) and the MDTCA for making this information publicly available on their respective websites.

We appreciate the progress that Malaysia has made in IPR protection but acknowledge that stronger enforcement is desirable. Building greater public support for IPR protection is an important step in strengthening enforcement. I hope that this IPR Toolkit provides a greater understanding of the IPR environment in Malaysia.

Regards,

Ambassador Christopher J. LaFleur