Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Paduka Hjh Hayati, Attorney General with other Heads of ASEAN Heads of Intellectual Property Offices signed the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Industrial Property between the ASEAN Member States Intellectual Property Offices (AMS-IPOs) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) during the 2nd meeting of ASEAN Heads of Intellectual Property Offices and Japan Patent Office held on 11th July 2012, in Singapore (2nd Meeting).

The MOC marks a significant milestone to further enhance cooperation between the IP offices of ASEAN Member States and the Japan Patent Office in the area of trademarks, patents, industrial designs and utility models. Among the specific areas of technical cooperation under the MOC is improvement of industrial property protection, establishment of transparent and streamline examination procedures and practices, industrial property administration including exchange of experience on general management and information technology infrastructure; and development of industrial property exploitation. The initiatives under the MOC would also further enhance the capabilities of the Intellectual Property Division of the Attorney General's Chambers as well as the Patent Registry Office of the Brunei Economic Development Board in examination procedures and practices, both agencies being responsible for promotion and protection of intellectual property rights in Brunei Darussalam.

The 2nd Meeting is part of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) meeting held on 9-13 July 2012, in Singapore. The Attorney General was accompanied by officers from the Attorney General's Chambers as well as the Patent Registry Office, Brunei Economic Development Board.