Trademark Registration in Malaysia: What Type of Marks Should You Register?
- Wei Wei
- Nov 19
- 3 min read
If you’re building a brand in Malaysia, registering your trademark is one of the smartest things you can do. It can protect your name, logo, tagline, and overall identity so others can’t copy or misuse them. But before filing, one common question always comes up:
“What type of trademark should I register?”
Understanding the different types of trademarks can help you make the right choice for your brand. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
1.
Word Marks protect your brand name in plain text, regardless of how it appears visually. For example, registering “LAMETNA” as a word mark protects the name itself, even if you later change your logo, colours or typeface. This form generally provides the broadest protection because it covers the name in any design. For this reason, most businesses should prioritise registering their name as a word mark.
However, word marks can be harder to register if the name is generic or descriptive of your goods or services. For example, names like “BEST COFFEE”, “PENANG LAKSA”, or “PREMIUM SKINCARE” are difficult to register. Invented or unique names are much stronger and face fewer objections during examination.
2.
Another common type of trademark is the logo or device mark. This protects the visual design of your brand, whether it is a symbol, or an icon. A logo mark protects the way your brand looks, and this is especially important if your business relies on strong visual identity in packaging, websites or store signage. It is also critical for digital-based businesses because your app icon, button logo or thumbnail image serves as a key identifier on mobile devices and online platforms. Unlike a word mark, the protection here is limited to the exact design filed. If you later make major changes to your logo, you may need to file a new application to maintain consistent protection.
3.
Another type of trademark you should know about is the stylised word mark. This is when your brand name is protected together with a specific font or design style. If your name is written in a distinctive typeface or customised lettering, the stylised version can be registered to stop others from copying the look of your text. This type of mark is useful for brands that rely on a particular font or artistic style in their logo, labels or packaging. However, like a logo/device mark, the protection only covers the exact stylised version that you file, so if you later change the design significantly, you may need to submit a new application.
4.
A final option is the combined mark, where your name and logo are registered together in the exact arrangement you use. Many businesses display their branding in this combined form, so registering it can help protect the look that customers see every day. This is usually a more affordable option because it gives some level of protection to both the word and the logo in a single filing. However, a combined mark does not automatically protect the name on its own or the logo on its own. For this reason, many businesses will file their word mark and logo mark separately, and use the combined mark as an extra layer of protection rather than the main foundation of their trademark portfolio.