MyIPO Urges Kedah To Register Unique Products Under Geographical Indication Category

ALOR SETAR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is urging Kedah to register its unique products as intellectual property under the Geographical Indication (GI) category.

MyIPO chairman, Dr. Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain, revealed that the state has only registered white turmeric and Tasik Beris grapes under the GI category. 

“Kedah has a wealth of products, foods, and handicrafts that are uniquely its own, not found elsewhere. For instance, fragrant rice, buffalo milk, black glutinous rice, Langkawi’s sea cucumber (gamat) balm, and rock salt.

“Once registered, these products are protected from being claimed by other parties or states. However, GI registration cannot be done under an individual’s name; it must be registered under an agency, community, association, or ideally, the state government,” he said during a press conference today.

He added that registering these products would elevate their potential and value, creating new sources of wealth for Kedah and the entrepreneurs behind these distinctive products.

“Take Muda Agricultural Development Authority’s (MADA) fragrant rice, for example. Many people are unaware of this product, but once it is registered with MyIPO, its value can increase significantly as demand grows,” he explained.

“Sarawak and Sabah have each registered over 30 products under GI. I hope the Kedah state government collaborates with MyIPO to register more products, showcasing the state’s strengths and enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination,” he added.

Earlier, Dr. Mohd Zuhan officiated the opening of the Alor Setar Satellite Office at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here, aimed at expanding MyIPO’s services to the public and entrepreneurs in the northern region, particularly in Kedah.

He noted that this is MyIPO’s third satellite office, following Terengganu and Perak, with three more set to open in Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak in February and March next year.

“In the past five years, MyIPO has received 2,975 intellectual property applications from Kedah. With this new office, we anticipate a more than 60 percent increase in registrations to safeguard intellectual property rights,” he said.

-- BERNAMA