2026 WIPO Global Awards: MONSTA Selected Finalist, Malaysia In World Top 10 For Number Of Entries
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The success of animation content company MONSTA as a finalist in the WIPO Global Awards 2026 proves that local companies are able to compete globally through effective intellectual property (IP) protection, management and commercialisation strategies.
Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) director-general, Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said the success elevates Malaysia's name on the international stage and proves that IP assets developed in the country have high commercial value and global impact.
She said MONSTA's achievement also strengthens international recognition of the capabilities of local companies after the company previously won three major awards at the 2026 National Intellectual Property Awards in the categories of Intellectual Property Management Organisation, Brand Champion (Trademark) and Creative Spirit (Copyright).
"WIPO Global Awards is not just a recognition of excellence, but also the world's highest platform that proves how strategic IP management can transform creative ideas into high-value commercial assets.
"For the 2026 edition of the WIPO Global Awards, Malaysia has achieved an extraordinary achievement by recording the highest number of entries since its introduction, with profiles submitted by 27 local companies," she said in a statement today.
According to her, the surge in performance places Malaysia in the top 10 countries in the world with the highest number of applications, together with China, the United States, India and South Korea in their efforts to leverage IP as a catalyst for organisational growth.
She said Malaysia's participation covers various major economic sectors including agro-food, environment, information and communication technology (ICT), creative industries and health, thus reflecting the country's growing innovation landscape.
In addition, the participation data shows a positive level of inclusivity when 41 per cent of the participating companies are led by women entrepreneurs while another 19 per cent are led by youth entrepreneurs.
"This development proves that intellectual property is now a strategic element across various industries and is in line with the aspirations outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan to drive a high-value economy based on domestic innovation," she said.
Yusnieza Syarmila said MyIPO would continue to strengthen its role in helping more local companies leverage intellectual property as a strategic business asset to increase global competitiveness in line with the aspirations of MADANI Malaysia.
According to her, WIPO recently shortlisted 33 international finalists from 126 countries for the WIPO Global Awards 2026, with the winners scheduled to be announced in conjunction with the WIPO General Assembly 2026 to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in early July.
-- BERNAMA
