The Parliament on Monday unanimously passed the comprehensive Trademarks Bill, a move widely designed to bolster the domestic economy and protect intellectual property.
The legislation, which received a full vote of confidence from all 63 lawmakers present during the vote, is designed to create a favourable and secure environment for Maldivian manufacturers, artisans, and artists by establishing a formal, legal framework for the first time.
The bill moved by the government and refined with amendments by the Parliamentary Economic Committee, establishes a robust system for the registration and protection of trademarks. It explicitly defines trademarks as marks capable of distinguishing the goods and services of one business from another, granting exclusive rights only through official registration.
A cornerstone of the new law is the empowerment it provides to brand owners. The Registrar of Trademarks is now empowered to prevent the unauthorised use of identical or confusingly similar marks. Additionally, the legislation grants the courts strong authority to combat infringement, including the power to issue immediate interim injunctions to halt violations without prior notice to the infringer in urgent cases, a critical tool for preventing irreparable damage to a brand's value.
The bill outlines severe penalties for violations, including fines ranging from USD 6,484.52 to USD 129,690.34 for the import, sale, or export of counterfeit goods. Courts are also authorised to order offenders to pay compensation for damages incurred by the trademark owner and cover the legal costs associated with recovering their rights.
Under the new system, a trademark registration will be valid for an initial period of 10 years, renewable for subsequent 10-year terms. Once ratified and enacted, the law will come into force after a 12-month transition period. Existing trademarks will be given this same 12-month window to re-register under the new system to maintain their protected status.
This landmark legislation is widely seen as a vital step forward for the Maldivian economy, providing local entrepreneurs and creators with the legal tools to build, protect, and capitalise on their brands, both domestically and in the global marketplace.