Can vehicle number plates be copyrighted under Malaysian law?

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Vehicle Number Plates Cannot Be Copyrighted Under Malaysian Law

Vehicle number plates are not eligible for copyright protection under Malaysian law, according to the Transport Minister and the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). The authority for registering vehicle number plates is established by the Road Transport Act 1987, with the Transport Minister holding the power to approve special registration numbers.
Authority for Number Plate Registration

The registration of any vehicle number plate falls under the purview of the Road Transport Act 1987. This legislation clearly vests the authority for such matters with the Transport Minister. Any approvals concerning special registration numbers, often referred to as NPI (Nombor Pendaftaran Istimewa), are consequently made through the Transport Minister's office.
MyIPO Clarifies Copyright Scope

The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) has confirmed that copyright protection pertains to documentation and related paperwork, not the physical number plates themselves. This distinction means that while the design or administrative documents associated with a number plate series might be subject to copyright, the number plate as an identifier cannot be copyrighted.
No Intellectual Property Rights Over Special Numbers

There is no legal basis for any individual or entity to claim intellectual property rights over special registration numbers. The process for allocating and registering these numbers is governed by specific ministerial powers and legislative frameworks, not by intellectual property law concerning unique creations.
Response to Compensation Demand

In response to a demand for RM1.3 million in compensation over alleged copyright infringement related to the MADANI number plate series, the Transport Ministry indicated it would respond through the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The MADANI NPI series, available for bidding between October 19 and 23, generated RM2.62 million in revenue.

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Can vehicle number plates be copyrighted under Malaysian law?

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