Parliament has passed the country’s first comprehensive Trademark Bill, creating a formal legal framework for trademark registration and protection and marking a major step forward in safeguarding the work of Maldivian artists, manufacturers and service providers.

The legislation, introduced on behalf of the Government by Maduvvari MP Ahmed Zahir, was reviewed by the Economic Affairs Committee and approved with amendments, receiving unanimous support from all 63 MPs who participated in the vote.

The new law defines trademarks as distinctive signs capable of differentiating goods or services, granting registered owners clear and exclusive rights. Registration will be valid for 10 years and may be renewed in successive 10-year periods, offering long-term security for creators and businesses. The legislation establishes structured procedures for registration and enforcement, empowering the courts to issue interim injunctions, including without prior notice where necessary, to prevent serious harm. It further enables courts to award financial compensation for proven infringements and allows the Government to recover enforcement costs, strengthening legal certainty for rights holders.

The Act also criminalises the import, sale or export of counterfeit and trademark-infringing goods, introducing penalties ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 2 million to safeguard market integrity. A 12-month transition period will follow ratification, during which existing trademarks must be re-registered to ensure continuity under the new framework.

Scheduled to take effect 12 months after ratification, the Act aligns the Maldives’ trademark regime with international standards and represents a major step forward in protecting Maldivian innovation, craftsmanship and commercial identity.