Our Practice
A focused intellectual property law practice, built on fifteen years of work with Malaysian innovators and businesses.
Founded on the Belief That Ideas Deserve Structure
Crestholm opened its doors in George Town in 2009, at a time when intellectual property advisory for small and mid-sized businesses was either inaccessible or overly generalised. Our founding partners — each with backgrounds in IP litigation and prosecution — saw an opportunity to build a practice that was genuinely focused: not IP as one offering among many, but IP as the sole area of practice.
Over the years, we have worked with inventors bringing their first patents to MyIPO, with SMEs building brand recognition through trademark registrations, and with creators navigating the licensing questions that come with growing an audience. Our work spans industries — technology, manufacturing, creative arts, food and beverage, and professional services.
What has remained constant throughout is our approach: understand the client's situation first, then advise on what is appropriate. Not every business needs every form of IP protection. We take the time to make that distinction clearly.
Our Mission
To provide Malaysian innovators and businesses with clear, competent IP legal support — helping them secure what they've created and manage it with confidence over the long term.
Our Values
- Clarity — legal advice in plain language, without unnecessary complexity
- Precision — accurate filings, thorough searches, careful drafting
- Discretion — client information handled with care and professionalism
- Pragmatism — practical recommendations suited to your actual situation
15+
Years Active
800+
Files Handled
3
Practice Areas
Our Team
A small team with focused expertise in Malaysian intellectual property law.
Lim Hui Ying
Founding Partner, Trademark
Called to the Malaysian Bar in 2007. Lim has spent her career in trademark prosecution and enforcement, representing clients across FMCG, technology, and professional services.
Rajan Arumugam
Founding Partner, Patent
Engineering graduate with postgraduate legal qualifications. Rajan leads the patent practice, drafting specifications for inventors in manufacturing, electronics, and medical devices.
Nurul Izzah Othman
Associate, Copyright & Design
Joined Crestholm in 2018. Nurul advises on copyright and industrial design matters, with particular experience serving creative businesses and digital content producers.
How We Work
Our internal protocols exist to protect both the quality of our advice and the interests of our clients.
Mandatory Pre-Filing Review
Every application is reviewed by a second team member before submission. This internal check catches errors and scope gaps that could affect the strength of a registration.
Client Confidentiality Protocol
All client information — including unpublished inventions, creative works, and business plans — is handled under strict confidentiality obligations and stored in secured systems.
Deadline Management System
We maintain a centralised docket system for all client matters. Renewal dates, examination deadlines, and opposition windows are tracked with advance reminders.
Continuing Professional Development
All legal professionals at Crestholm participate in regular CPD activities relevant to IP law developments in Malaysia and across the ASEAN region.
Conflict of Interest Checks
Before accepting any new matter, we conduct a conflict check across our existing client base. Clients are informed promptly if any conflict arises during an engagement.
Written Engagement Agreements
All client engagements are documented in writing before work begins — scope, fees, and process are agreed upfront so there are no ambiguities as the matter progresses.
Intellectual Property Law in Malaysia
Malaysia's intellectual property framework is administered primarily through the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), which handles trademark, patent, industrial design, and copyright registrations. The framework draws from international conventions — Malaysia is a member of the Paris Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and the Madrid Protocol for international trademark filings.
For businesses operating in Malaysia, the starting point for most IP matters is the Trade Marks Act 2019, which introduced substantive changes including multi-class applications and expanded grounds for opposition. The Patents Act 1983 remains the primary legislation governing patent protection, with amendments aligning Malaysian practice more closely with international norms.
Copyright in Malaysia is governed by the Copyright Act 1987, which confers automatic protection on qualifying original works. Unlike trademarks and patents, copyright does not require registration to subsist, though voluntary notification with MyIPO is available and can support enforcement efforts. Industrial designs are protected separately under the Industrial Designs Act 1996.
Crestholm's work spans all three of these areas — trademark, patent, and copyright/design — handled by legal professionals who focus exclusively on IP practice. Our location in George Town, Penang, places us within a commercially active region with a strong manufacturing and technology base, meaning we regularly work with clients whose IP needs span both product and service sectors.
Ready to Discuss Your IP Needs?
We welcome enquiries from businesses and individuals at any stage of their IP journey — from initial questions to active portfolio management.
Contact Our Team