1. What types of innovation exhibitions and competitions does UTeM participate in?

Exhibitions and competitions given priority by UTeM are exhibitions recognized through MyRA evaluation. The list of relevant competitions and exhibitions at the moment is as follows (subject to the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) :-

1.1 Within the Country

• Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE)
• International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX)
• International Higher Education Institutions Invention Conference (PECIPTA)

1.2 Abroad

• Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) Korea
• International Invention & Design Fair (iENA) Germany

2. What are the responsibilities and roles of RICE and researchers?

The RICE UTeM-Melaka Collaboration Management Center is responsible for the secretariat of the UTeM exhibition. Researchers who wish to apply to participate in exhibitions either at home or abroad need to apply through RICE.

2.1 Before the Exhibition

• RICE is responsible for opening or publicizing participation invitations to all UTeM lecturers/researchers.
• Lecturers / Researchers who wish to participate in the exhibition must first apply to RICE for information and approval purposes.
• The innovation product that will be contested must be demonstrated / explained by the Researcher / Lecturer to the formed evaluation group. The evaluation group will evaluate the innovation products that are eligible to participate in the exhibition. An assessment group with at least two (2) members will be appointed by RICE.
• Researchers need to register the participation of innovation products and give a copy of the participation form to RICE together with the invitation to the exhibition by the organizer.
• Reservations and booth site rentals and exhibition fees for selected exhibitions will be managed by RICE
  based on the number of entries.
• RICE will appoint an exhibition booth contractor for a special design booth according to the UTeM procurement procedure.
• Lecturers/Researchers must provide information on innovative products displayed in the form of product directories, posters or brochures.
• Exhibitor innovation products must have been filed as intellectual property. Any product that participates in the exhibition without an intellectual property file must be registered within one (1) month from the date of the exhibition.
• Research results with a high potential for commercialization may be delayed from participating in exhibitions until necessary steps are taken to protect related intellectual property.
• RICE is responsible for managing the finances, logistics of Lecturers / Researchers and the secretariat of selected exhibitions.
• Lecturers / Researchers and secretariat should prepare a checklist of equipment to be brought.
• Lecturers / Researchers and RICE must ensure that the conditions of the exhibition are met before participating in the exhibition.

 2.2 During the Exhibition

• Lecturers / Researchers and appointed secretaries must make preliminary preparations at the exhibition site a day before the exhibition.
• Lecturers / Researchers and secretaries on duty should be ready at the  booth until the judging is complete.
• The secretary on duty must be at the exhibition  (booth)  throughout the exhibition for promotional purposes and handle inquiries from visitors.
• Lecturers / Researchers and secretaries need to get information about the winner's results. (if related)
• Lecturers / Researchers and secretaries are responsible for receiving medals/certificates at the awarding ceremony or get medals/certificates from the organizers.
• Lecturers / Researchers and  Co-Researchers are responsible for booking extra medals / certificates with the organizers. Any additional costs must be borne by the researcher by using the existing research allocation or other funds of the researcher.
• Lecturers / Researchers and secretaries are responsible for taking care of the exhibition items during the exhibition.
• Lecturers / Researchers need to get feedback from industry or potential partners for commercialization purposes.

2.3 After the Exhibition

• Lecturers/Researchers and secretariat should check and make sure the equipment brought is complete based on the equipment checklist provided.
• RICE must make a copy of the certificate before giving it to the researcher.
• RICE shall include information on exhibitions/awards received in the UTeM research data.
• RICE is responsible for providing articles/news of the researcher's success, no later than three (3) days after the end of the exhibition.
• Lecturers/Researchers who participate in the exhibition without being managed by RICE must report the success of the lecturer/researcher, no later than three (3) days after the end of the exhibition to RICE for the purpose of records and updating the database.
• RICE will make an announcement on the UTeM or RICE website related to the participating exhibition activities.
• Any financial claims related to the exhibition will be managed by RICE using the Lecturer/Researcher's research allocation or from UTeM's financial resources.

3. What is the concept of the Innovation Track program and UTeMEX?

• The initial platform for researchers to participate in the exhibition is UTeMEX (odd years) / UTeM Innovation Trail (even years) which is organized from time to time.
• UTeMEX is a medium of exhibition and competition to increase the competitiveness of UTeM researchers, students and research products involving COE with the involvement of external parties (Industry).
• While the UTeM Innovation Trail is similar to UTeMEX which is based on COE but on a small scale without the involvement of external parties.

4. State the conditions for participation in the Innovation Trail program and UTeMEX?

• Open to all academic staff / non-academic staff / UTeM students only.
• Only UTeM academic staff/non-academic staff can be named as Principal Researchers if the participation involves UTeM students.
• Pairing of researchers/staff and students is strongly encouraged.
• All competing products must belong to one of the focus areas of research at UTeM, namely Green Technology, Human Technology Intercation, System Engineering, Emerging Technology and the open category.
• Each participant must bring a prototype (eg product, framework, software, algorithm etc.) during the judging. Participants are encouraged to bring relevant supporting documents.
• The cost of prototype development is under the responsibility of the respective researcher / faculty / PTJ / research grant.
• The number of entries does not exceed 2 products per person as the chief researcher.
• Product must be new or improved.
• Each product must involve a professor as a mentor with extensive experience in their respective research group to help boost the quality of the innovation.
• The presentation should be done by the chief researcher.
• However, presentations can be made by students provided that the head researcher or co-researcher (staff) is present during the presentation session.
• The decision of the panel of judges is final.

5. What are the basic judging criteria of UTeMEX and the Innovation Trail?

         The selected product basically needs to meet the following criteria:

• Novel (new invention) and innovative
• High potential for commercialization
• Products based on solving industrial and social problems
• Readiness (status) of innovation
• Have applied for IP protection through RICE
• Have relevant publication material
• A good presentation method that can captivate the jury/judging panel

6. What is the researcher's preparation if their innovation is selected for domestic and foreign level innovation competitions?      

• The selected researchers are required to prepare a draft poster of the innovation product within the period set by RICE who is also the UTeM secretariat representing the relevant competition and inform the specifications and technical characteristics of the product for logistics management and product placement at the expo site.
• Researchers need to ensure that the innovation product is in good condition and functional for judging purposes (commercial ready).
• All costs of improving the prototype are borne by the researcher.
• Researchers must register their participation with the competition/exhibition organizers within the period set by the organizers upon receiving instructions from RICE.
• The main researcher needs to be highly committed to the rules and regulations of participation as determined by RICE to ensure that preparations and preparations at the competition site run smoothly.
• The principal researcher is required to be at the exhibition site throughout the competition.
• For participation abroad, video preparation is sufficient for large-sized products.
• Reservation of additional certificates and medals for personal storage or co-researchers must be managed and financed by the researchers themselves.
• However, researchers are allowed to claim the purchase of certificates and medals using research grants related to researchers.

7. What are the financial costs (competitions organized by RICE and UTeM only) borne by the University?

• The university will bear all related management costs, namely participation fees, booth reservations, exhibition sites, accommodation (twin sharing), poster printing, souvenirs and logistics for large-sized products that require transportation.
• Transportation (if required) should be requested to RICE in due course.

1. When does the Intellectual Property filing application open?

Intellectual Property Applications are open throughout the year.

2. Who is eligible to apply for Intellectual Property filing?

All Academic and Non-Academic staff of UTeM.

3. Who will bear the cost of the Intellectual Property filing?

Intellectual Property filing costs will be covered using the CRIM allocation provided the application is approved.

4. Is an Intellectual Property filing required if a researcher wants to participate in an invention competition?

Intellectual Property filing is required if researchers are successfully selected to participate in the competition.

5. Is it allowed to publish after filing?

Yes

6. What criteria are allowed for UI applications?

The UI application will continue if there is collaboration with the industry because during the inspection by the MyIPO the required criteria is an annual report from the industry

7. Are mathematical formulas allowed for IP applications?

No because mathematical formulas are for public use.

8. What is the best type of trademark protection?

The best protection if applying for a trademark is a word mark because it will protect everyone.     

9. When is the time period for PCT application?

Within 18 months from the date of filing

10. How to expedite the Patent/UI application?

Applicants can apply for expedited after 16 months from the priority date/filing date. It takes 2 months from the date of application to get an examination report. Therefore, if the application is complete, the applicant can obtain a patent warrant (patent granted) within 20 months from the date of filing. The cost involved for the request to be expedited is approximately RM2500

11. Can innovations/inventions that have been published be applied for IP?

For patent/UI filing applications within one year from the date of publication.

12. What is protected by Copyright?

Copyright only protects non-technological works created.

13. Can UTeM researchers make IP applications directly to MyIPO?

Yes, provided that the owner of the innovation is UTeM. The application must inform RICE in writing if it has made a filing and give justification why it made the filing without going through UTeM if the application is for the purpose of obtaining a letter confirming the application for promotion.

14. What is the first step to apply for the application upload process in the apple store or play store? 

Applicants need to make a trademark application before applying to upload the application on the apple store or play store.

15. Is it possible to make MoA and IP Application at the same time?

Yes

16. Can the co-researcher consist of the name of the institution/company/entity for the copyright application?

Can't. Co-researchers in the copyright application must be in the individual's name. 

17. Why is it necessary for patent/UI applications to go through a patent agent and not directly to MyIPO. This will involve high costs?

This is because UTeM does not have expertise in drafting etc. Every patent agent needs expertise or qualifications recognized by MyIPO because they need to obtain a license as a patent agent. So with that, the cost for a patent application is quite expensive around RM10,000 and it is a standard cost in Malaysia.

18. Is IP a condition before going to the exhibition?

Yes. Every innovation that goes to the competition must have an IP or at least have gone through the IP evaluation process.

19. What are the essential enabling criteria for a PCT application?

There needs to be market segmentation and density (ie demand requirements in relevant places).