Expert Interview: Insights from our IP experts – Brunei

Today, let’s meet On Hung Zheng, our IP expert based in Brunei!

Zheng heads the IP practice at CCW Partnership and has been managing a diverse range of IP matters for over seventeen years, encompassing trademark prosecution, handling trademark oppositions, and infringement cases. He also handles the firm’s patent, industrial design prosecution and advises clients on general IP rights. 

Zheng has also been recognised as an IP expert in Brunei Darussalam for the years 2024 and 2025 by Asia IP. 

“IP rights are a crucial asset for your business and protecting them is important to safeguard your brand, invention and/or creative works from being taken advantage of.” said Zheng.

Zheng is one of the many professionals in the South-East Asia IP expert network, supporting international SMEs across the region.

Q1: From your experience, what are the main IP risks or obstacles in your country that EU SMEs should be aware of?

• Registering your trademark or patent rights may take time due to backlogs in the IP Registry;
• Enforcement of your IP rights may be costly, e.g. litigation costs;
• There is no specialised IP court in Brunei;
• Enforcement of counterfeit goods is not as stringent; and
• Some businesses lack awareness of their IP rights or laws.

Q2: Is there something SMEs often misunderstand or overlook when it comes to IP protection in your country?

• SMEs often overlook the importance of protecting their IP rights, and when their IP rights are infringed, it becomes more difficult to protect their unregistered IP rights.

Q3: What are your top practical tips or advice for European SMEs regarding IP protection in your country?

• Understand the importance of your IP rights;
• Protect your IP rights by registering them (if applicable);
• Ensure you have agreements in place to protect your IP rights, for example, licensing agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDA) with your employees or partners;
• Monitor and enforce your IP rights; and
• Seek professional advice on how to prosecute and protect your IP rights.

Discover our full network of IP experts across South-East Asia. 

Explore more insights on IP protection in Brunei, download the Brunei IP country factsheet.

If you have any further questions on how to protect your IP in SEA, contact us at expertsea-iphelpdesk [dot] eu (expert[at]sea-iphelpdesk[dot]eu).