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International In-house Counsel Journal logoInternational In-house Counsel Journal logo

A 'Brand' New Leap! - The Malaysian Experience

April 2009
Intellectual PropertyTelecommunications

Abstract

Malaysia, pledging to become a fully developed country by 2020, has positioned itself well towards utilizing the currencies of the k-economy, which includes innovation and the application of knowledge. Under the knowledge economy, the wealth of the K-Economy is derived from Intellectual Property (“IP”). Therefore, the creation, protection and management must be a priority for countries, Malaysia included, and businesses that wish to advance into and reap the benefits of a K-Economy.

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Author

Sheila Jeya Balan
Senior Legal Executive, Measat Broadcasting, Malaysia

Sheila Jeya Balan completed her law degree in 1996 from the University of London. She is currency an in-house counsel with Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“ASTRO”) for the Entertainment & Production unit, under the General Counsel’s Office. She mainly advises in the areas of intellectual property and media law. Her portfolio, amongst others includes, overseeing and advising on rights acquisition and exploitation in particular for international 24-hour turnaround channel agreements involving major media conglomerates from Asia, Europe and America. She also advises on various media related agreements including format licenses, productions & talent management, online commerce and new media issues. In dealing with trademark matters, Sheila is tasked with overseeing that the voluminous portfolio of the ASTRO Group’s trademarks in the Asia Pacific region are properly safeguarded and managed. She also provides legal support to other sister companies within the ASTRO Group. Prior to joining MBNS, Sheila was an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya. At that time, she was attached to a boutique law firm that specialized in a full spectrum of Intellectual Property in particular litigation and enforcement matters involving copyright, trade mark, patent and industrial design areas. She has initiated various raids for her then clients to enforce their IP rights. Sheila has been featured in various magazines for her involvement in intellectual property management from a legal aspect. In her free time, Sheila actively volunteers her time with organizations to counsel woman and children in need.

Company

Measat Broadcasting

ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc (AAAN) is the holding company for MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn. Bhd., the sole operator of direct-to-home satellite pay television services in Malaysia under the “Astro” brand. AAAN, which is listed on Bursa Malaysia, operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Information on ASTRO and its products/services can be obtained at www.astro.com.my.

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