A bill has been submitted to Parliament proposing the establishment of a dedicated Intellectual Property Office, aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights in the Maldives.

The bill was introduced on Tuesday by Member of Parliament for Kudahuvadhoo Constituency, Hussain Hameed, on behalf of the Government. The proposed legislation sets out plans to create a structured system for managing intellectual property and appointing a responsible authority to oversee it.

According to MP Hameed, the goal of the bill is to build a strong framework for the protection of intellectual property and to create an institution that will handle registration, enforcement, and public accountability.

The bill defines intellectual property to include trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs, and geographical indications. It also mandates the compilation and maintenance of a national register of intellectual property.

The proposed office would be responsible for overseeing the registration, protection, and enforcement of intellectual property rights and the implementation of relevant legislation.

MP Hameed said the establishment of the office would help prevent intellectual property theft, support innovation, and create economic opportunities by ensuring legal protections for creators and businesses. He also described the initiative as an important step toward building a more resilient and productive economy.