The Maldives’ Trademark Act (Law No. 19/2025) officially came into force on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, introducing the country’s first comprehensive statutory framework for trademark registration, ownership and enforcement.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade announced the commencement of the legislation, describing it as an important development for protecting Maldivian brands, businesses and creative identities while strengthening their ability to compete in international markets.
The new law establishes a formal system through which businesses and individuals can register trademarks and obtain legal protection for distinctive signs used to identify their products and services. It also introduces measures to address unauthorised use of registered marks, trademark infringement and the trade in counterfeit goods.
The legislation was ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on November 11, 2025, following its passage by the People’s Majlis on November 10, 2025. It entered into force exactly one year after its publication in the Government Gazette.
Under the Act, trademarks may include business names, words, letters, numbers, logos, colours and other distinctive elements that distinguish the goods or services of one business from those offered by another.
The framework is expected to provide greater legal certainty for businesses seeking to establish and protect their identities, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, manufacturers, entrepreneurs and creative professionals.
Previously, trademark protection in the Maldives operated through more limited administrative arrangements and practices such as publishing cautionary notices. The new legislation introduces a structured registration system with defined procedures for examining applications, determining ownership and resolving disputes.
A central feature of the law is its first-to-file approach, under which priority is generally determined by the filing of a valid trademark application, subject to applicable legal protections and exceptions.
Registered trademark owners will be able to exercise exclusive rights over their protected marks and take legal action against unauthorised commercial use where infringement occurs.
The legislation also establishes procedures for opposing trademark applications, allowing relevant parties to challenge registrations where they believe their existing rights may be affected.
Registered trademarks will generally remain valid for ten years, with provisions allowing renewal for additional ten-year periods. This provides businesses with a mechanism to maintain long-term protection for established brands.
The Act additionally strengthens legal measures against counterfeiting and imitation, including provisions concerning the importation of goods that infringe registered trademarks.
Its enforcement framework includes civil remedies, court proceedings and criminal penalties for certain counterfeiting offences. These measures are intended to protect legitimate businesses and consumers from products marketed using unauthorised or misleading brand identities.
The legislation also creates opportunities for foreign businesses and trademark owners to seek registration and protection in the Maldives, bringing the country’s trademark framework closer to internationally recognised intellectual property practices.
The Maldives Intellectual Property Office (MIPO) will administer the registration system and maintain the official register of protected trademarks.
The office was established on January 1, 2026, under the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act (Law No. 13/2025), which was ratified by President Muizzu in August 2025.
Operating under the ministry responsible for economic development, MIPO is tasked with administering intellectual property registrations, maintaining official records, supporting public awareness and strengthening cooperation with international intellectual property organisations.
Although the Trademark Act has entered into force, the ministry has clarified that the online application portal for the new registration system will become available following the issuance of the relevant Trademark Regulations.
The legislation provides a six-month period for the preparation and publication of implementing regulations, extending to May 2027. Consequently, the law’s commencement does not mean that all new registration procedures are immediately available to applicants.
Existing trademark owners will also be required to transition to the new statutory framework. The Act provides a twelve-month period following commencement for existing marks to be submitted for registration in accordance with the new requirements.
The transitional arrangements are particularly important for businesses that previously relied on existing administrative registrations or cautionary notices to establish and publicise their trademark claims.
Businesses seeking protection under the new framework will need to review their existing brand portfolios, identify the trademarks they intend to protect and prepare the necessary documentation for registration once the application process becomes operational.
In preparation for the legislation’s commencement, the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade also announced an awareness session for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Maldives Intellectual Property Office.
The session, scheduled for November 9, was intended to explain trademark registration requirements, application procedures and the commercial importance of brand protection.
The introduction of the new system is expected to have implications across multiple sectors of the Maldivian economy, including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, technology, media and creative industries.
For businesses seeking to expand beyond the domestic market, formal trademark protection can help establish clearer ownership of commercial identities and provide legal mechanisms for addressing imitation or misuse.
The legislation also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the Maldives’ intellectual property environment, encourage innovation and support business development.
With the Trademark Act now in force, attention will turn to the publication of its implementing regulations and the opening of the official registration portal, which will determine when businesses can begin submitting applications under the new system.
