The Malaysian Intellectual Property Association (MIPA) was registered as a society under the Societies Act 1966 on 21st December 1989 under Registration No. 1017/89 (new Registration No. PPM-005-10-21121989).It was formed to represent all parties involved in the field of intellectual property , including IP practitioners.
The Inaugural General Meeting of MIPA was held on 24th February 1990. The first office bearers of the Association who were elected at the Inaugural meeting were: -
| Member | Position |
| Dato' V. L. Kandan | President |
| Mr. Lim Chong Chuan | Vice-President |
| Mr. Lee Tatt Boony | Secretary |
| Mr. Chew Phye Keat | Assistant Secretary |
| Mr. Darryl S C Goon | Treasurer |
The following Committee Members were also elected to serve the Association:
| Member |
| Ms. Katherine Lim Sui Hong |
| Mr. T. Kuhanandan |
| Mr. Wong Sai Fong |
| Ms. Rebecca Ong |
| Mr. R. Rajeswaran |
The following were registered as members (individual and corporate) of MIPA on the incorporation date of the Association: -
| No. | Member |
| 1 | Mr. Goh Hian Poh |
| 2 | Mr. Lim Chong Chuan |
| 3 | Dato V. L. Kandan |
| 4 | Mr. Wong Sai Fong |
| 5 | Mr. Lee Tatt Boon |
| 6 | Messrs Skrine & Co |
| 7 | Mr. Darryl S C Goon |
| 8 | Messrs Mah-Kok & Din |
| 9 | Messrs Paul Ang & Co |
| 10 | Mr. R Rajeswaran |
| 11 | Messrs Chooi & Co |
| 12 | Ms. Chew Swee Yoke |
| 13 | Messrs Abdul RahmanDaud Daros & Associates |
| 14 | Mr. T. Kuhanandan |
| 15 | Ms. Katherine Lim Sui Hong |
| 16 | Ms. Rebecca Ong |
| 17 | Mr. Tan Siak Teng |
| 18 | Messrs Ram Rais & Partners |
| 19 | Ms. Caroline Francis |
| Period | Office Bearers |
| 21.12.1989 | MIPA was formed |
|---|---|
| Mar 1990 – Mar 2000 | President – Dato V L Kandan |
| Mar 2000 – Mar 2002 | President – Dato Mohd Bustaman Abdullah (deceased) |
| Mar 2002 – June 2004 | President – Mr. P Kandia |
| June 2004 – June 2006 | President – Mr Michael Soo |
| June 2006 – June 2008 | President – Mr. Wong Sai Fong |
| June 2008 – Aug 2008 | President – Mr. T Kuhanandan (deceased) |
| Aug 2008 – June 2010 | President – Mr. Desmond Wee Tian Peng |
| June 2010 – June 2012 | President – Mr. Chew Phye Keat |
| June 2012 – June 2016 | President – Mr. Desmond Wee Tian Peng |
| June 2016 – June 2017 | President – Mr. Chew Phye Keat |
| June 2017 – June 2018 | President – Mr. Chew Phye Keat |
| June 2018 – June 2020 | President – Mr. Benjamin John Thompson |
It was at the meeting on 24th February 1990 that the Constitution of the Association was formally adopted following its approval by the Registrar of Societies.
Amendments were made to allow the Executive Committee or the general body to form sub-committees or groupings to carry out its activities.
During the second half of 1990, following the amendments made to the MIPA Constitution at the Inaugural General Meeting, the Asian Patent Attorneys Association [APAA] Sub-committee was formed and Dato V. L. Kandan was elected as the Chairman of the said Sub-committee.
From the early days, MIPA had started building a strong bond with the Registries of Patents and Trade Marks as it was known then. The first meeting with the Registry was held on 24th November 1990. Over the years the cooperation between MIPA and MyIPO, as it is now known, has grown closer. MIPA continues in its efforts to build and enhance IP awareness amongst the general public.
In 1998, MyIPO formed the Intellectual Property Training Centre (IPTC) to take care of the IP training needs of the country. MIPA took steps to support the activities of the Centre.MIPA also played a leading role in the formation of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Association (ASEAN IPA). This and the recognition by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) of ASEAN IPA as a non-governmental organization are important achievements in the early history of MIPA.