The Maldives does not have a trademark protection legislation. In most countries, trademarks are protected by registration, by filing an application for registration with the national trademark office and payment of the appropriate fees. The basic notion of trademark registration is to grant an exclusive right to use the registered trademark or allow licensed third parties to use the trademark for a fee. Registration underlines ownership of the owner.
Trademark Registration for Maldives Registered Entities
The Ministry of Economic Development of the Maldives has a process of registering trademarks. However, this registration process can only be utilized by locally registered entities. There is no specific law or regulation which stipulates special rights or entitlements on registration of a trademark in the Maldives.
Trademark
Registration by Foreign Applicants
There is no regulated mechanism for a foreign entity to register a trademark in the Maldives. As a customary practice, trademark owners do publish a Cautionary Notice in local newspapers, usually in English language as well as in local Dhivehi language.
Publication of a Cautionary Notice is done for the purpose of informing the public and competitors on the existence of and owner of the trademark. In the absence of a trademark legislation, Cautionary Notices serve as evidence on courts on the disclosure of ownership in case of infringement.
Cautionary Notice on trademarks include general notices, renewals and recordals.
Our Services
We advise international trademark owners in the drafting of Cautionary Notices, translation of such notice to Maldives language and publication. Please feel free to contact us for more information.