Azarith Sofia Binti Aziz

Azarith Sofia graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with a Bachelor of Legal Studies (Hons) in 2014 and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) in 2015. She later obtained her Master of Intellectual Property (MIP) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2018.

She underwent her pupillage at Messrs. Raja, Darryl & Loh, gaining early exposure to litigation, trial preparation, corporate due diligence and trademark prosecution work. She was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2016.

In 2017, she joined Messrs. Azmi & Associates as an Associate in the Multimedia, Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group, where she held various positions before being promoted to Partner in 2024. During her tenure, she was honorably mentioned by Legal 500, with the editorial commentary noting “a key contact for cases at the intersection of media, IT, and IP.” She also contributed significantly to the firm’s recognition and accolades, including Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Firm of the Year (ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2024) and ranked in Intellectual Property (ALB Asia IP Rankings 2025).

With almost a decade of experience, she advises clients across diverse Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) matters. Passion for her work, ability to operate both independently and collaboratively, effective communication skills and adaptability in dynamic environments have contributed to her professional growth and broad experience within a relatively short span of practice.

She is also a registered Patent Agent, Trademark Agent and Industrial Design Agent, and has been a member of the Young IP Professionals (YIPP) of the Malaysian Intellectual Property Association (MIPA) since 2019.

Azarith has written and co-authored numerous articles published on both local and international platforms, including the Global Intellectual Property Convention, Asian-MENA Counsel In-House Community, Global Legal Group, Mondaq, Conventus, Legal 500, HG.org Leading Lawyers and the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). Based on Mondaq readership analytics, she ranks among the Top 20% of authors globally for her listed topics and industry categories and recognized as “Very Popular” in Malaysia. Her co-authored article, “Overview on the Appointment of Personal Data Protection Officer under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010”, received the ‘Thought Leader – Autumn 2025 Award’ from Mondaq.

Azarith is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars on intellectual property, technology and commercial law topics. She is also an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer, delivering structured and impactful learning sessions for corporate and institutional audiences. Her past engagements include sessions for DRB-HICOM Group, PROTON Group, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF), UMW Group, JCORP, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Azarith is guided by purposeful service and continuous learning. She believes in contributing value through meaningful work and embracing every opportunity to learn, evolve and uplift those around her.

EXPERTISE & RELATED EXPERIENCE
1. IP Registration & Portfolio Management

Azarith advises on the full lifecycle of IP protection in Malaysia and abroad, covering trademarks, industrial designs, patents, trade secrets and copyrighted works. She has attended nearly 1,000 IP registrations for leading organisations, and her experience includes managing large-scale trademark portfolios, conducting clearance and watch services, preparing written submissions and attending ex-parte hearings, and leading opposition and cancellation proceedings.

She further coordinates foreign filings and cross-border prosecution across ASEAN, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and provides strategic portfolio management. Her practice also spans IP issues in emerging technologies and the development of IP governance frameworks (including guidelines, SOPs, policies and training modules) for corporates, universities and government-linked organisations.

Clients include DRB-HICOM Group of Companies, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Berhad, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS), Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB), Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Padiberas Nasional Berhad, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Open University Malaysia, Waafi Bank Ltd, BIMB Investment Management Berhad,  KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Munchy Food Industries Sdn Bhd and Zaiyadal Group.

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2. IP Commercialisation, Licensing & Technology Transfer

Azarith advises on the full spectrum of IP commercialisation, licensing and technology transfer for universities, corporates and international partners. Her work includes technology and know-how licensing, publication and copyright rights, market validation arrangements and the deployment of research and development outputs.

Her experience extends to developing IP policies and commercialisation frameworks, and drafting and negotiating collaboration agreements for joint research, product development and co-innovation projects across multiple industry and scientific sectors.

Clients include DRB-HICOM Group of Companies, Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and Al Hijrah Media Corporation.

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3. IP Transactions, Due Diligence & Assignments

Azarith advises on IP-driven transactions, acquisitions and due diligence exercises, with expertise spanning ownership mapping, risk assessment and chain-of-title verification. Her experience covers investments, acquisitions, divestments and cross-border asset transfers involving trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs and proprietary technologies. She also advises on IP structuring, intra-group transfers and the perfection of rights in Malaysia and multiple foreign jurisdictions.

Clients include PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad, Duopharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Kobe Welding (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Koperasi Angkatan Tentera Malaysia Berhad, Société Malaisienne de Lactosérum S.A. (SOMALAC), Titian Ikhtisas Sdn Bhd, Aspire Flagship Sdn Bhd, Pidilite International Pte Ltd, F.Y. Sdn Bhd, Niteo Products LLC, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor and Universiti Putra Malaysia.

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4. IP Enforcement & Contentious Matters

Azarith advises on a broad range of contentious IP matters, including infringement, passing off, unlawful reproduction, unauthorised use, online impersonation, counterfeit goods and copyright disputes. She develops enforcement strategies, prepares cease-and-desist letters, undertakings and formal notices and pre-litigation actions.

Her practice includes online brand protection such as marketplace takedowns, domain misuse, social media impersonation and digital content disputes as well as advisory on foreign cancellation actions and enforcement involving overseas distributors and parallel importers.

Clients include Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Berhad, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Datin Norjuma Binti Habib Mohamed (“AIDIJUMA” brand), Edaran Badang Sdn Bhd (Kulim Malaysia Berhad), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (MODENAS), Open University Malaysia, Scomi Transit Projects Sdn Bhd, MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd and Universiti Malaya.

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5. Technology, Digital & ICT Transactions

Azarith advises clients on complex technology, digital transformation and ICT contracting across the public sector, financial institutions, government-linked companies and technology providers. Her experience spans digital banking platforms, cloud migration, fintech solutions, enterprise system development, telecommunications infrastructure and large-scale IT procurement.

She regularly negotiates and drafts agreements for core banking systems, integrated digital customer experience platforms, ERP solutions, cybersecurity services, cloud and data-centre arrangements, software licensing, outsourcing and vendor management.

Clients include Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (BMMB), BIMB Investment Management Berhad, Waafi Bank Ltd, Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB), Myswitch Sdn Bhd, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Pernec Integrated Network Systems Sdn Bhd, GATES IT Solution Sdn Bhd and Custommedia Sdn Bhd.

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6. Corporate & Commercial Contracts

Azarith advises extensively on commercial contracting, particularly for universities, government-linked entities, and regulated industries. Her work includes drafting and negotiating collaboration agreements, tenancy and procurement contracts, R&D arrangements, content production agreements, consultancy frameworks and commercial documentation. She has acted for corporate groups, statutory bodies, and educational institutions in matters involving funding programmes, scholarship structures, governance compliance, commercial service agreements, agricultural collaboration, digital platform development, and specialist equipment procurement.

Clients include Universiti Putra Malaysia, Putra Business School, Telekom Malaysia Berhad,  Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad, Laduni Services Sdn Bhd, Nichols Plc (UK brand owner of “Vimto”) and Lactalis Trading Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

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7. Healthcare, Life Science & Clinical Research

Azarith has significant experience advising pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology institutions and university hospitals on clinical research, vaccine development agreements, medical equipment procurement, and collaborative scientific programmes. Her work includes reviewing and negotiating clinical trial agreements, managing multi-party collaborations with foreign pharmaceutical sponsors, advising research hospitals on template clinical research documentation, and supporting biotech entities on vaccine development and regulatory-aligned agreements.

Clients include Duopharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital.

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8. Media, Entertainment & Creative Industry

Azarith advises on film production, content funding programmes, international co-production frameworks, licensing of broadcasting rights, digital content usage and artist management arrangements. She has supported government agencies and content creators on multi-jurisdictional co-production agreements, creative incentive schemes and statutory grant structures.

Her experience includes drafting guidelines, SOPs, template contracts, offer letters and regulatory documentation for national film agencies, as well as advising media companies on copyright licensing and settlement negotiations.

Clients include Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS), Al Hijrah Media Corporation and Beegood Media.

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9. Privacy, Data Protection & Cybersecurity

Azarith provides strategic data protection advisory for corporations and statutory bodies, including PDPA compliance, cross-border transfers, privacy policy drafting, cloud deployment compliance, outsourcing structures, and regulatory reporting requirements. Her experience includes conducting comprehensive PDPA Gap & Maturity Assessments, preparing terms of access and privacy policies for digital platforms, drafting internal data governance procedures, and advising multinational corporations on IT outsourcing and data security obligations.

Clients include Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad, Pelaburan Hartanah Nasional Berhad, Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad, Foodish Sdn Bhd, Winapp Messenger Sdn Bhd, Richemont (Switzerland), Lactalis Trading Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Air Johor.

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