The Maldives now has a trademark statute. The Trademarks Act (Law No. 19/2025) was ratified on 11 November 2025 and comes into force on 11 November 2026, replacing the cautionary-notice system with a statutory register administered by the Maldives Intellectual Property Office (MIPO).
Until that date, a cautionary notice remains the only way to stake a claim. After it, the country is first to file — and prior use will be evidence rather than a right. See the Maldives gets a real trademark law for what rights holders should do about it.
The current framework
- A Trademarks Act, in force 11 November 2026. Until then trademark protection relies on public recognition via cautionary notices, against a common-law backdrop for disputes.
- MIPO since 1 January 2026. The Maldives Intellectual Property Office was established under its own Act and will administer the register.
- An IP Unit since 2007. The Ministry of Economic Development set up an Intellectual Property Unit in 2007 to raise IP awareness.
- Copyright law exists. The Copyright and Related Rights Act was passed in October 2010 and came into force in April 2011.
- More laws developing. Geographical Indications and Industrial Property legislation continues to be developed, aided by WIPO, within the country’s WTO/TRIPS obligations.
Cautionary notices — how protection works
The primary trademark-protection method is the cautionary notice, published in newspapers/journals with wide circulation. It is a warning to third parties against using the mark (which may amount to infringement). Practical points:
- Processing: typically 3–4 weeks.
- Fees: vary by notice length and the applicable NICE classification categories.
(For the detailed FAQ on how the notice works — information needed, renewal by re-publication, multi-class notices — see our Maldives cautionary-notice FAQ.)
Where it’s heading
Growth in tourism, fisheries, trade and construction drove the case for formal protection, and the Trademarks Act is the result. Industrial property and geographical indications remain to be legislated, and accession to the Paris Convention and the Madrid Protocol has been recommended but not yet done.
The takeaways
- A statute exists. The Trademarks Act comes into force on 11 November 2026.
- Until then, cautionary notice is the only route, and it should be published with the coming register in mind.
- First to file from commencement — years of trading in the Maldives will not, on its own, secure the mark.
- Copyright has had a statute since 2010/2011.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Maldives have a trademark law? Yes. The Trademarks Act (Law No. 19/2025) was ratified on 11 November 2025 and comes into force on 11 November 2026. Until that date, protection still rests on cautionary notices.
How do I protect a trademark in the Maldives? Until 11 November 2026, by publishing a cautionary notice in widely circulated newspapers and re-publishing periodically. From that date, by applying to register at MIPO — and because the Act is first to file, being ready on day one matters.
Is there a copyright law in the Maldives? Yes — the Copyright and Related Rights Act (2010, effective 2011).
Is the Maldives part of international IP treaties? It is a WTO/TRIPS member and works with WIPO. It is not a Paris Convention or Madrid Protocol member, so there is no international designation route and no Convention priority — protection requires a direct national filing.