The Maldives has enacted its first comprehensive trademark law, replacing decades of reliance on cautionary notices with a modern registration system aligned with global standards.

The Trademark Act (Law No. 19/2025), ratified on November 11, 2025, and published in the Government Gazette, will take effect on November 11, 2026, giving businesses a year to prepare. The law introduces structured procedures for filing, examination, opposition and renewal, and provides civil and criminal remedies for infringement.

Historically, trademark protection in the Maldives depended on periodic newspaper notices asserting ownership rights. The new act establishes a first-to-file system, a 10-year registration term renewable for successive periods and recognizes certification and collective marks. It also allows foreign applicants to register without investment approval.

The act will operate alongside the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act, which creates the Maldives’ first IP authority. The office, set to launch in January 2026, will oversee trademarks, patents and copyrights.

Businesses must re-register existing marks during a 12-month transitional period ending November 11, 2027. Failure to do so will result in cancellation. Regulations covering fees and procedures are expected by May 2027.

Legal experts say the reform signals a “new era for brand protection” in the Maldives. “Companies should review their portfolios now and plan filings early to avoid conflicts under the first-to-file rule,” said IP advisors.

The law also introduces border enforcement measures and penalties for counterfeiting, with fines ranging from MVR100,000 to 2 million.     

- Cathy Li