Since then, he has never failed to register each new creation as his intellectual property.

The 60-year-old, creator of the iconic cartoon character “Ujang” in 1993, is back on the creative arts scene, adopting the name as his own and reinventing his product.

These days, Ujang presents the classic cartoon in a new format, using 3D animation generated through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Not being particularly IT savvy, Ujang struggled initially.

“People say using AI is easy, but when I uploaded my initial set of drawings into the application, they came out distorted, with eyes popping out and a contorted design.

“I had to redraw them using another application, before uploading them into the AI software once again,” he told FMT at the Anithink animation studio, which also produced the popular cartoon series Keluang Man.

“I later approached MyIPO (the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation) to see if I could register the name ‘Ujang’ as well as my AI-generated 3D characters. Thanks to their help I was able to do so immediately,” he said.

Protecting his artwork

Since July last year, Ujang has successfully secured the copyright for six new characters he has created, including Lebai Sahak, Kadir and Bobot.

He said a number of the older characters, like Usop Sontorian and Intelligent Blues Club, were “stolen” from him previously.

“MyIPO told me that my printed works had already been registered by others — including the name ‘Ujang’ as well as my signature, cartoons, and even the title to the Ujang magazine,” he said.

He is grateful to MyIPO for helping him reclaim the rights to those creations, despite the fact they are no longer being published.

A cautionary tale

The cartoonist, recently discharged from bankruptcy after 24 years, said his copyright infringement case was the first of its kind in Malaysia. According to his lawyer, it became a legal precedent.

“When I created the Ujang magazine in 1993, MyIPO did not exist. I didn’t understand the process of registering a copyright back then,” he recalled.

It all began when he asked for a 30% cut of the profits generated from the sale of his magazine. He claimed it was selling up to 300,000 copies per month then.

The remaining 70% was to go to the publisher. But not only was he denied his share, he was also sued by the company, which claimed ownership to all his works.

The loss came as a shock to him.

“What I have learned is to never trust anyone 100%,” he said.

A new chapter

Ujang has since traded his place in front of the easel for a spot in an apparel and souvenir shop on board a boat.

He is collaborating with several companies to market his own products under the Eksplentes brand. They include items such as T-shirts, caps and belts.

He also offers internationally recognised houseboat fishing packages at Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu, with support from the tourism, arts and culture ministry and the state government.

“I was once known for my magazines, but this is who I am now,” he said.