Maldives Trademark Law

For the first time in the Maldives, a statute governing systematic registration of trademarks was ratified on 11th November 2025. Law No. 19/2025, Trademark Act (the “Act”) will take effect 12 months after its publication, on 11th November 2026. All regulations elaborating the provisions of the Act will be made within six months from the effective date (the “Regulations”).

Protection of Trademark rights previously centered around cautionary notices and newspaper publications has been transformed into a more comprehensive and formal form of protection under a set legal framework. The Act defines Trademark as a mark distinguishing goods and services of one party with another, in terms of names, letters, numerals, figurative elements or colours (the “Trademark”).

A proprietor secures an exclusive right over a Trademark once registered under the Act. Trademark rights are granted to the person who is the “First-to-File” an application with the Maldives Intellectual Property Office.

Application to Register a Trademark

In order to register a Trademark after the Act comes into effect, an applicant shall make a submission according to the Regulations, with the application form along with the necessary information and documents. This application shall be made to the Registrar of Intellectual Property (the “Registrar”). Any applications made shall be consistent with the requirements provided in Section 7(c) of the Act as follows.

• Applicant’s name and address.

• If the applicant is a foreign national, their nationality; if permanently residing in another country, the name of that country; and if the applicant has established an industrial or commercial presence in another country, the name of that country.

• If the applicant is a foreign entity, the type of entity, the country of registration, and if registered in a region of the country with a separate jurisdiction, name of where the entity is registered.

• If a representative is appointed on behalf of the applicant, the representative’s name and address.

• A graphic representation of the Trademark prepared in accordance with the requirements stipulated under the Regulations.

• If the Trademark is required to have specifications as stated in the Regulations, a statement confirming such specifications.

• If the colour of the Trademark is a distinct specification, a statement confirming the same.

• An English or Dhivehi (Dhivehi is the local language of the Maldives) translation of the Trademark or part of the Trademark.

• A detailed list of the goods and services with which the Trademark is associated, prepared in accordance with the specifications under the Regulations.

• Registration Fee (the registration fee is yet to be published under the Regulations).

• Any other document or information as stipulated under the Regulations.

Once the application is accepted, the Registrar shall publish the application. Subsequent to publishing, if any party wishes to object the registration for reasons provided under Section 15 of the Act such as similarity with an existing Trademark, a submission shall be made to the Registrar within 3 months of publication. Such a submission shall be made with supporting documents and in accordance with the procedure under the Regulations. Section 14 specifies circumstances which prohibit registration of a Trademark.

Once the Registrar decides to register the Trademark, a Trademark registration certificate shall be issued to the applicant. The term of the registered Trademark is 10 years subject to further renewals upon request.

Other notable provisions under the Act include the following.

Priority Filing

The Act provides two instances under which a priority filing may be granted, (i) where an applicant had made a submission to a member country of the World Trade Organization or the Paris Convention and (ii) where an applicant had formally exhibited the Trademark.

Ownership Change & Licensing of Trademark

Pursuant to the Act, the Registrar is required to maintain public records of all changes to ownership. A change in proprietor of a Trademark has to be requested according to the provisions of Regulations.

In addition, license to utilize a Trademark issued to third parties have to be recorded as well, if the request is in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Certification Mark & Collective Mark

The Act recognized both Certification Marks and Collective Marks. A Certification Mark is a mark that indicates that the goods or services it is associated with, meets certain standards set by the proprietor of the Trademark. This certification relates to the goods' origin, materials, manufacturing process, quality, accuracy, or other such characteristics.

Collective Mark is defined as a mark capable of distinguishing the goods and services of the members of collective associations which is the proprietor of the mark from those of other associations.

Enforcement Measures

Any unauthorized usage of a Trademark constitutes infringement under the Act and may be brought before the court as provided in Section 33 within 5 years of the infringement. Other remedies available under the Act include criminal penalties, civil remedies, injunctive relief and the request to halt the clearance of goods from customs.

For more information, please contact:

Associate Attorney, Ms. Shaulaan Shafeeq

Email: shaulaan@mmlawassociates.com