The Maldives has introduced its first formal intellectual property (IP) legislation which aligns with certain international treaties through the ratification of the Trademark Act (Law No. 19/2025).
The Act will come into force on 11 November 2026 with the supporting guidelines and regulations published within six months of that date. This means the registration system may not be fully operational until early 2027 but could be in place as early as November 2026.
Key features of the Maldives Trademark Act 2025
The new Act introduces a modern trade mark system broadly consistent with international best practice, such as:
- Broad definition of a trade mark, allowing non-traditional signs
- Provision for certification and collective marks
- Priority claims available (despite the Maldives not yet acceding to the Paris Convention)
- Examination on absolute and relative grounds
- Three-month opposition period from publication
- Ten-year registration term, renewable for further ten-year periods
- Six-month post-expiry grace period for renewal
- Protection for well-known marks
- Vulnerability to cancellation for non-use after five years from registration
- Civil and criminal remedies for infringement and counterfeiting
What the Maldives Trademark Act 2025 means for businesses
From late 2026, businesses with IP protection in the Maldives, or those looking to expand into the Maldives, will be able to file trade mark applications. This change will remove the reliance on the current system of cautionary notices which requires IP holders to publish every two years.
Recommended next steps
Although there is still some time before the Act takes effect, we recommend considering the following:
- Continue publishing cautionary notices: Doing so will provide a certain level of protection until the new system is in place.
- Take a strategic approach to brand protection: We can support you to take a strategic view of your brand protection in the Maldives, considering your current and future goals.
- Prepare trade mark filings: Once the Act is in effect, we can assist you in preparing trade mark filings that align with your strategic objectives.
We will continue to monitor the progress of the Act and let you know as soon as it is possible to file applications in the Maldives.
We have a team of experts with experience filing in the Maldives and the Pacific Islands. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss.
