1. Filing of Patent Application
Every applicant is required to submit an application to the registrar of patents within 12 months of priority date. 

2. Publication
Details of the application, including the specification are made available for public inspection after 18 months from the patent Malaysia filing date. Once published, the application will enjoy provisional protection under which, upon grant, the patentee may claim compensation for unauthorized use of the invention prior to grant. 

3. Substantive Examination
Every applicant has to file a request for a substantive or modified substantive examination within 18months (for filing made before 15 February 2011, it was 24months) from the patent filing date (for a non-PCT patent filing into Malaysia) and within 48 months from the international filing date (for a PCT national entry into Malaysia), wherein the registrar will refer the application to the examiner. The examiner will then submit a report after examining the application for compliance of regulations. Once the applicant makes observations on the report or amendments as the case may be the examiner will again report to the registrar who will then process the application. 

4. Registration
Once registered, a patent Malaysia is valid for a term of 20 years and will be subject to protection upon payment of annual renewal fees. Annuity is payable upon grant.

The following information and/or documents are required to file an application for a patent Malaysia:- 

Direct National Application:-
1. Request for the grant of a patent Malaysia (PF 1):-
a) the name and address of the applicant;
b) the name and address of the inventor; 
c) a specification comprising a description, claims and any necessary drawings; and 
d) the country and filing particulars of basic application whose priority is claimed. 
2. Appointment of Patent Malaysia Agent (PF 10) 
3. If the applicant is not the inventor, a statement explaining how the applicant derives its right to the patent from the inventor, normally by virtue of assignment or employment. 
4. There is no requirement for the filing of an assignment from inventor to applicant. 

PCT National Phase Application 
1. Form 2A ;
2. A copy of the PCT application in English language ( i.e. request form PCT/RO/101);
3. The details of the PCT application (suitably, the bibliographic page as published by WIPO);
4. One copy of the PCT specification as originally filed (in or translated to English);
5. One copy of any amendments filed in the international phase (in or translated to English);
6. An Appointment of Agent form signed by the applicant; and
7. If the applicant is not the inventor, a statement explaining how the applicant derives its right to the patent from the inventor, normally by virtue of assignment or employment.