In recent times, businesses associated with food and restaurants have hit national and international headlines. Here in Malaysia, there was the Sri Paandi vs Sri Paandi fight, then the famous McDonald’s vs McCurry battle, and more recently, our spat with Singapore and Indonesia on the origins of certain dishes. It would seem that Malaysians are finally realizing that the restaurant business is an industry, just like any other non-food industry. There is an extraordinary amount of creativity involved in the business – yet how many owners of restaurant businesses are aware of the significance of identifying their unique features, claiming proprietary rights to them and maintaining their rights

If you are dining out, think of what attracts you to a restaurant, besides the parking facilities. Is it the catchy name; the interior decoration – furniture, display items on the wall, floor or ceiling patternsdesigns, etc; the menu card with imaginatively-named menu items; dishes displayed or served in a uniquely arranged manner, perhaps with uniquely designed cutlery and plates; the uniforms of the restaurant staff; the type of music played; the popularity of the chef This article addresses the manner in which creative elements in the restaurant business are protected – and kept away from competitors’ reach. » Read more: Building A Fence Around Your Restaurant Business