Cheam Tat Sean

On 27 March 2024, the Dewan Rakyat (i.e., the House of Representatives) passed the Cybersecurity Bill 2024 (“Bill”), which is aimed at enhancing and safeguarding Malaysia’s cybersecurity landscape through the introduction of provisions which, among others, require entities in National Critical Information Infrastructure (“NCII”) sectors to comply with specific standards and measures, as well as processes when handling cybersecurity incidents.

Introduction In yet another landmark decision on 25 July 2023, the Singapore High Court presided by Judge Philip Jeyaretnam (“Court”) in ByBit Fintech Ltd v Ho Kai Xin and others [2023] SGHC 199 ruled that crypto assets are “things in action” (also described as “choses in action”) capable of being held on trust and enforceable via court orders.

The patent prosecution highway (“PPH”) pilot program between the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (“MyIPO”) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has commenced from 2 March 2023 with a trial period of three years ending on 1 March 2026. The trial period may be extended upon mutual written decision by both offices and either office may terminate the PPH pilot program early. A notice will be published if the pilot program is extended or terminated.