Maldives
Current Legal Status (as of 2026)
Informal Protection (Until 11 Nov 2026):
Until recently, the Maldives did not have a formal statutory trademark registry. Brand owners traditionally protected trademarks by publishing Trademark Cautionary Notices in local newspapers These are informal public assertions of ownership and can be evidence of use or reputation in legal disputes but they do not grant the same enforcement benefits as a formal registration.
New Trademark Law & System (Effective 11 Nov 2026)
Statutory Framework Established:
The Maldives enacted its first comprehensive Trademark Act (Law No. 19/2025), replacing reliance on cautionary notices with a formal registration system. The Trademark Act was published in the Government Gazette on 11 Nov 2025 and will come into force on 11 Nov 2026 (12 months after publication)
The Government of Maldives has made a significant move by establishing the Maldives Intellectual Property Office (MIPO) under the Ministry of Economic Development, consolidating the administration, registration, and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights in the country. This initiative is formalized under the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act (Act No. 13/2025), which was ratified on 21 August 2025, and set to take effect on 1
January 2026.
Filing
The application with MIPO, including applicant details, trademark representation, and goods/services classification
Examination
The MIPO examination on formal and substantive grounds to verify compliance and assess registrability
Acceptance & Publication
The accepted trademark is Published in the Official Gazette for third party review
Opposition Period
The opposition period will be confirmed after the system become fully operational. During this period third parties may challenge the application
Registration
Registration and issuance of the Trademark Registration Certificate if no opposition is filed or if opposition is resolved in favor of the applicant.
Validity & Renewal
Trademark validity: 10 years from registration date and Renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods
Trademark Services Available in Maldives
Requirements for Filing
Applicant details (name, address, nationality, legal status)
Clear representation of the trademark
List of goods and services (Nice Classification)
Power of Attorney (if applicable)
Certificate of Incorporation or business registration certificate (for companies
Passport copy or identification document (for individual applicants)
The fees listed above are indicative and may not reflect the most current charges. Please contact us to obtain the latest and accurate fee information.
Timeline
Validity & Renewal
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