In short
Trademark registration in the Maldives is changing. A Trademark Act ratified in November 2025 creates the country's first full registration system for local and foreign marks. DBS Maldives helps you record your logo today, prepare for the new register, and re-register existing marks within the transition period.
Can I register a trademark in the Maldives?
Yes, and the system is moving to a new footing. Trademark registration in the Maldives will be governed by the Trademark Act, ratified on 11 November 2025. It comes into force twelve months after its publication in the Government Gazette, expected around November 2026, and for the first time allows both local and foreign trademarks to be registered and protected under Maldivian law. Certification marks and collective marks can also be registered.
The Maldives Intellectual Property Office (MIPO), established under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, has been in place since January 2026. Its role includes registering intellectual property and keeping the registers.
Before the Act, the Ministry recorded marks through a oneGov service for seal, logo, trademark and shipping mark registration. Marks already recorded have a transition period to re-register under the new system to keep their protected status. The implementing rules are still being published, so we check the current procedure before preparing any application.
How DBS Maldives helps
- We check whether your name or logo conflicts with businesses already on the registry, the same search we run for business name registration.
- We prepare and submit your seal, logo or trademark record on oneGov while that service remains the route.
- We prepare your application for the new trademark register, including a clear image of the mark and the goods and services it covers.
- If your mark was recorded under the old service, we plan its re-registration before the transition period ends.
- For new businesses, we align the trademark with company registration, so the name and the brand are settled together.
We handle registration paperwork. Disputes and infringement claims need a lawyer.
How to register a trademark in the Maldives
-
Define the mark
We agree exactly what is being protected: a word, a logo, or both, and the goods or services it is used for.
-
Search for conflicts
We look for identical or similar names and marks already in use, before you commit to an application.
-
Choose the route
We confirm whether the oneGov service or the new trademark register applies on the date you file.
-
Prepare and file
We prepare the application and supporting details and file it, signed in with the applicant's eFaas where needed.
-
Track and maintain
We follow the application, respond to queries and note any re-registration or renewal that falls due.
What do I need to register a trademark or logo?
- A clear, high-resolution image of the logo or mark
- The exact wording of any word mark
- A list of the goods and services the mark is used for
- Your business registration details
- Evidence of when you started using the mark, if available
- Details of any earlier record of the mark with the Ministry
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a registered business name protects your brand. Business name registration and trademark registration are separate.
- Missing the transition window. Marks recorded under the old service must be re-registered to keep their protected status.
- Relying on old advice. Much of what is online predates the Trademark Act.
- Launching a brand before checking it. Search for conflicts before printing signs or packaging.
Want to protect your brand? Tell us about your mark and we will set out the route.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a trademark law in the Maldives?
Yes. The Trademark Act was ratified on 11 November 2025 and comes into force twelve months after its publication in the Government Gazette, expected around November 2026. It sets up a framework for registering trademarks, protecting registered marks and acting against infringement, for both local and foreign owners.
How do I register my company logo in the Maldives?
The Ministry's oneGov service lets businesses register or update their seal, logo, trademark or shipping mark. As the new Trademark Act takes effect, registration moves to a formal trademark register. We confirm which route applies when you file and prepare the application.
What happens to trademarks registered before the new Act?
Existing trademarks have a transition period to re-register under the new system and keep their protected status. If your mark was recorded with the Ministry before, check that it is re-registered in time. We can review your existing record and prepare the re-registration.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in the Maldives?
Yes. The Trademark Act allows both local and foreign trademarks to be registered and protected in the Maldives, which was not possible before. We confirm the current filing requirements for foreign owners once the implementing rules are published.
Who registers trademarks in the Maldives?
The Maldives Intellectual Property Office, established under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, is responsible for registering intellectual property and keeping the registers. Logo and trademark records have also been handled through the Ministry's oneGov service.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.