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MALAYSIA

Since September 2016, last amended in 2024

Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade  |  Indicator Commercial presence requirement for digital services providers
Companies Act 2016 No. 777
A foreign company may carry on business in Malaysia by either incorporating a local company or registering a branch in Malaysia.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Since November 1983, last amended in June 2022

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Practical or legal restrictions related to the application process for patents
Patents Act 1983
There are restrictions for national applicants wishing to apply for patents internationally. They must file in Malaysia initially before becoming eligible to apply for patents in other countries two months subsequent to the date of filing (Sections 23A and 30A of the Patents Act).
In addition, it is reported that foreign applicants must appoint an agent, specifically a registered Malaysian patent attorney, to undertake patent registration procedures in Malaysia.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Since August 2006

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Malaysia is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). However, the country does not consider itself bound by Art. 59 related to disputes.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Since April 1987

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Copyright Act 1987 - Act No. 332 (Akta Hak Cipta 1987 - Akta 332)
Section 13.2, together with other provisions of the Copyright Act, establishes a clear framework of copyright exceptions grounded in the doctrine of fair dealing and supplemented by a range of specific, enumerated exceptions. These provisions permit the lawful use of copyrighted works by third parties without the need to obtain prior authorisation.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Reported in 2022, last reported in 2025

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Reported challenges of online piracy
It is reported that online piracy in Malaysia continues to pose a significant challenge for rights holders.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Since September 2012, entry into force in December 2012

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Malaysia has adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal

MALAYSIA

Since September 2012, entry into force in December 2012

Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)  |  Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Malaysia has adopted the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
"SELECT DISTINCT(post_id) FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'MY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
[{"post_id":"109183"},{"post_id":"109184"},{"post_id":"109185"}]
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'impact' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'MY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.1') OR\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.2')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
"SELECT meta_value FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'score' AND\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'country' AND meta_value = 'MY')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAND (\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id IN (SELECT post_id FROM prj_12_postmeta WHERE meta_key = 'subchapter' AND meta_value = '1.3')\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t)"
ITA: [{"meta_value":"0.00"}]

MALAYSIA

ITA signatory? I II

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
1.4%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
69.94%
Coverage: ICT goods

MALAYSIA

Since March 1997
Since December 2015

Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods  |  Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Malaysia is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods

MONGOLIA

Reported in 2018, last reported in 2024

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Reported restrictions on online payments
Reports indicate that cross-border payment options are limited, and Mongolians face considerable challenges in accessing them, as these services are neither seamless nor cost-effective. In addition, stakeholder awareness of the legal framework governing electronic payments remains low. In this context, one barrier to domestic e-commerce is inconsistent and unclear government regulations that affect payment processes.
Coverage Horizontal

MONGOLIA

Since May 2008, as amended in July 2014

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Law on Customs Tariffs and Customs Duties (МОНГОЛ УЛСЫН ХУУЛЬ ГААЛИЙН ТАРИФ, ГААЛИЙН ТАТВАРЫН ТУХАЙ)
Mongolia implements a de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, only in limited cases. Pursuant to Section 38.1.15 of the Law on Customs Tariffs and Customs Duties, certain goods imported into Mongolia’s customs territory are exempt from customs duties. This exemption applies to international postal parcels addressed to an individual, provided that the parcel value does not exceed 10 times the minimum monthly wage and that it contains no more than two units of each identical item.
Coverage Horizontal

MONGOLIA

Since December 2024

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia (CRC) Resolution No. 242 on the Revision and Approval of the "Procedures for Registration and Use of Domain Names" (ХАРИЛЦАА ХОЛБООНЫ ЗОХИЦУУЛАХ ХОРООНЫ ТОГТООЛ "ДОМЭЙН НЭРИЙГ БҮРТГЭХ, АШИГЛАХ ЖУРАМ"-ЫГ ШИНЭЧЛЭН БАТЛАХ)
Pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Annex to Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia (CRC) Resolution No. 242, which revises and approves the Procedures for Registration and Use of Domain Names, only persons or legal entities with a residential address or legal registration in Mongolia may apply to own “.mn” and “.мон” domain names. Sections 4.6–4.7 further require individuals to provide a Mongolian residential address, while legal entities must provide evidence of registration and address information in Mongolia.
Coverage Horizontal

MONGOLIA

N/A

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Lack of comprehensive consumer protection law applicable to online commerce
Mongolia lacks a comprehensive consumer protection framework applicable to online transactions. The Law of Mongolia on Consumer Rights Protection lacks specific provisions addressing digital transactions.
Coverage Horizontal

MONGOLIA

Since December 2020, in force since July 2021

Pillar Online sales and transactions  |  Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Mongolia has signed and ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal

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