Country: MALDIVES
Strategic Hub:
The Maldives is a premier global destination for luxury tourism and hospitality, serving as a high-value hub for international lifestyle brands, resort developers, and the blue economy. It is a critical market for brands seeking to protect their prestige and identity in the Indian Ocean’s most elite commercial sector.
Regulatory Body:
Intellectual Property is primarily managed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Traditionally, trademark protection was handled through Cautionary Notices, but the nation is currently transitioning toward a more formalized registration system.
International Standing:
The Maldives is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a signatory to the Paris Convention. It recently joined the Madrid Protocol (2023), marking a major shift that allows international innovators to protect their brands in this luxury hub through the streamlined international filing system.
Member of PCT ?
NO
Can Convention priority be claimed ?
Yes- within12 months from the date of first filing of the priority application.
Patent Search
YES
Novelty requirement
Worldwide
Deadline for filing supporting documents
Supporting documents are generally required at the time of filing
Does the invention specification have to be translated for filing
Yes, a translation into Dhivehi or English is required.
Required Documents
• Application for Grant of Patent (prescribed form).
• Specification, including:
• Description
• Claims
• Abstract
• Drawings, if any.
• Power of Attorney.
• Deed of Assignment, if the applicant is not the inventor.
• Priority Document, if priority is claimed.
Examination
• Examination is largely formal.
• Limited substantive examination may be carried out.
• Focus is on:
Formal compliance
Basic novelty requirements
Publication
Patent applications are published after acceptance by the authority.
Opposition
Pre-grant opposition is allowed. Any interested person may oppose the application before grant.
Duration
Fixteen(15) years starting from the filing date
Compulsory Licensing
Compulsory licensing may be imposed if:
The patent is not worked in the Maldives, or
Public interest so requires.
Annuities
Renewal fees are payable annually.
Failure to pay renewal fees results in lapse of patent rights.
Assignment
Deed of assignment
Must be recorded with the Maldives IP authority.
License
License agreement
Must be recorded with the Maldives IP authority.
Merger
Certificate of merger
Must be recorded with the Maldives IP authority.
Name / Address:
Trademark Search
Not Mandatory
Trademark Filing
Single/Multi-Class Jurisdiction
Single class - a separate application for each class
Can services be registered
YES
Can convention priority be claimed
YES
Is the international classification
Yes - Nice Classification, 13th addition
Documentation and information required to file
Power of Attorney
Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.
Full name and address of the applicant.
Meaning/translation of the mark, if it is a wordmark.
Description of goods or services.
Specimen prints of the mark. (in JPEG format)
Opposition period after publication
60 days
Validity
Renewal
Renewal due
The trademark renewal can be requested as early as twelve (12) months before the expiration date.
Grace Period
It can also be requested during the grace period of six (6) months after expiration, upon payment of a late renewal fee.
Documents required to renew
Power of Attorney
Copy of the Registration Certificate for each mark
Proof of use due
None due
Documents required to file proof of use
N/A
Assignment
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of assignment
Power of attorney signed by the assignee
Deed of assignment signed by both parties
A copy of certificate of registration
Merger
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of Merger
Power of attorney
Certificate of Merger.
A copy of certificate of registration
License
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of License
Power of attorney signed by the Licensee
Deed of License signed by both parties.
A copy of certificate of registration
Change of name or address
Documentation and information required to file the recordal of change of name or address
A Power of Attorney in the new name or address.
A legalized certificate proving the change of name or address.
A simple copy of the registration certificate of the mark
Treaties and conventions
WIPO Convention, Brussels Convention, Trademark Law Treaty, Berne Convention, Paris Convention, Rome Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Protocol, Nice Agreement, Patent Law Treaty, Budapest Treaty, World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), GCC Patent Law.
Member of LOCARNO CLASSIFICATION
Yes
Can Convention priority be claimed:
Novelty Requirement
Patent search
Deadline for filing supporting documents:
Multiple designs
Required Documents:
Publication
Opposition
Duration
Compulsory licensing.:
Annuities:
Assignment:
Merger:
Name / Address:
Our Global Reach & Jurisdictions
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