Copyright protection in Malaysia is governed by the Copyright Act 1987 which provides comprehensive protection for copyrightable works.
The Act outlines the nature of works eligible for copyright (which includes computer software), the scope of protection, and the manner in which the protection is accorded.
A unique feature of the Act is the inclusion of provisions for enforcing the Act, which include such powers to enter premises suspected of having infringing copies and to search and seize infringing copies and contrivances.
A special team of officers is appointed to enforce the Act.
Malaysia is a signatory of the Berne Convention. Foreign works of non-Berne member countries are also protected if they are made in Malaysia and are published in Malaysia within thirty days of their first publication in the country of origin.
Back to the top
