Dave A Wyatt

Executive Director at Henry Goh & Co Sdn Bhd
Ranked in Malaysia
IAM Research

The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.

Highly recommended - Individuals: prosecution

As the most prolific Malaysian agency, Henry Goh handles a huge volume of applications while maintaining top quality. With more than 45 years on the IP scene – and a close-knit team of 24 long-serving professionals to boot – the outfit remains a trailblazer when it comes to patent drafting, prosecution and contentious advice. Blending rich linguistic, technical and commercial capabilities, it achieves excellent results not only in Malaysia, but also in Singapore and Brunei. Internationally experienced Dave A Wyatt has worked in intellectual property for more than 25 years and has built a reputation as one of the country’s most proficient IP strategists. Aside from protecting his patrons’ IP rights, he is also a frequent expert witness at the Malaysia High Court. Cosmopolitan head of patent practice Yen Yen Oon has a sharp instinct for identifying patentable inventions and is in high demand for her astute advice on non-contentious matters and contentious proceedings. She leverages her microbiology background to draft and prosecute inventions, especially in the field of biotechnology and chemistry. Electronic and electrical engineering maven Jason Cheah specialises in drafting and prosecuting internet-related inventions, not only in Malaysia but also in Japan, the United States and Australia. Overseeing the domestic patent prosecution practice, he ensures that the work hits the highest standard. With a keen business sense and mechanical engineering background, Alvin Boey seamlessly drafts complex inventions across diverse fields, such as medical and electromechanical devices, water treatment and agricultural machinery. Newly appointed as a patent department manager, he is now the pillar of the agency’s overseas prosecution practice. Debuting in the IAM Patent 1000 this year, Pei Chun Yan is computational physics and electronics expert with more than 15 years’ experience. Frequently sought out by multinationals and universities, she provides patent services in Malaysia and Brunei.

Dave A Wyatt's Profile

Dave A Wyatt has devoted many years at Henry Goh to building up the human capital, expertise and processes of the patent and industrial design teams.

Upon graduation, he was employed as a design engineer in a major consumer electronics firm prior to entering the IP profession. Mr Wyatt worked in private practice in London and Munich before moving to Malaysia. He is a European patent attorney and a registered Malaysian patent, industrial design and trademark agent.

His comprehensive in-house training on the technical, legal and procedural aspects of IP protection has led to the successful registration of 14 Malaysian patent agents at Henry Goh. Outside of the office, Mr Wyatt has given presentations on Malaysian IP law and practice to local institutions of higher learning, business councils, industry and professional associations, as well as at Henry Goh’s regular public educational seminars.

While his practice has traditionally focused on patent drafting and prosecution, patent disputes and litigation have been increasing in Malaysia in recent years. Mr Wyatt is in high demand for his opinions on patent validity and infringement. He has appeared before the High Court in several states of Malaysia as a patent attorney expert witness.

With over 30 years of IP experience, Mr Wyatt’s advice and opinion are much sought after. They are increasingly leveraged within the firm by Mr Wyatt offering expertise and mentoring to the patent and industrial design teams, as well as global perspective and insight on developments in IP law and practice. His expertise has also received professional recognition and acknowledgement by industry peers. he is listed in IAM Patent 1000, IAM Global Leaders and Who’s Who Legal.

 

Firm Profile

With 45 years of legacy and excellence since 1977, Henry Goh & Co Sdn Bhd is often recognised as a pioneer, trailblazer and market leader in IP protection in Malaysia. Their expertise spans the complete range of IP solutions with regard to patent, trademark, industrial design and copyright matters in various jurisdictions, especially in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The firm’s stable team of IP professionals with diverse backgrounds in law, engineering, biotechnology, information technology, sciences and other fields have successfully steered a wide spectrum of clients, from small-medium businesses to multinationals, through various complex IP issues.

The potent combination of multilingual, legal, technical and business experience coupled with in-depth knowledge of relevant local, regional and international laws governing IP practice provide the Henry Goh team with a unique platform in Malaysia to advise clients from inception through to registration and towards the commercialisation of IP. Their IP professionals have also received global recognition as IP powerhouses and thought-leaders in their respective areas of speciality.

Henry Goh practises in all main areas of intellectual property but focus especially on patent, trademark and industrial design protection.

Henry Goh’s patent practice is the IP foundation and cornerstone of the firm since its inception more than four decades ago. Although the world’s patent systems were designed for the industrial age, they have evolved and the patenting of high technology inventions have become the norm rather than the exception. Effective drafting, prosecution and exploitation of patents call for a sound aptitude for technology, in-depth knowledge of the applicable law and practice, and excellent communication skills.

The firm is home to the largest and most experienced team of legally and technically qualified patent professionals in Malaysia. Henry Goh’s patent agents have considerable depth of experience in patent drafting, prosecution, and contentious matters, in a wide variety of technical fields, both locally and internationally. Their local knowledge, expertise and resources make the firm the natural choice for patent prosecution in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. They provide honest, sound, accurate and timely advice on identification of patentable inventions, drafting of patent specifications, and prosecution of Malaysian, Singapore, Brunei and overseas patent applications. Their opinions on patentability, infringement, freedom-to-operate and validity have also proved invaluable to local and foreign clients.

With foresight and preparation, Henry Goh put in place early on the relevant operation procedures for their patent department and guidance for clients to embrace the new Patents (Amendment) Act 2022 and the many exciting changes that came into force on 18 March 2022. The firm will once again spearhead the industry in terms of Malaysian patent practice under this new law.

In addition to law and practice, the firm’s patent professionals place great emphasis on keeping abreast of the rapid evolution of technology in their three technology groups: high technology, electrical and electronics; mechanical engineering, manufacturing and products; and chemistry and life sciences. The senior patent agents heading each group are technology specialists in their own right, and, often serve as a reference point for colleagues and clients alike.

At Henry Goh, they uniquely handle industrial design matters under the patent department as all their patent agents are also qualified and registered design agents in Malaysia. Industrial design in this modern era of technology is a unique 21st century alliance between entrepreneurship, creative thinking and innovation. The beauty in a well-designed form can often be the decisive factor for consumers. Henry Goh routinely assists clients in securing industrial design registrations both at home and abroad. Such a practice demands a sound understanding of both international and local laws covering industrial designs. The firm can assist clients with the necessary actions in the event that their registered industrial designs are infringed by third parties.

Henry Goh’s Malaysian office handles directly the filing, prosecution, registration and maintenance of Brunei patents, trademarks and industrial design applications before the Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO). The specialist patent agents heading their Brunei patents and designs practice group are well versed with the legal and practice requirements unique to Brunei law and work closely with BruIPO officers to enable efficient prosecution of Brunei patent and design cases.

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