The parliament has approved today the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Bill. The bill, submitted to the People’s Majlis on behalf of the government by MP for Kudahuvadhoo, Hussain Hameed, was passed unanimously with 68 members voting in favour of the bill.

The objectives of this Bill are to establish a strong system for the protection and promotion of intellectual property in Maldives, encourage creativity and innovation in the field of trade and facilitate the economic development of the country.

The Maldives Intellectual Property Office will be operated under the mandate of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The office will be led by the Registrar of Intellectual Property, appointed and dismissed by the Minister.

The responsibilities of this office include registration of intellectual property, compilation and maintenance of a register of registered intellectual property, establishment and strengthening of relations with regional and international intellectual property organizations, including obtaining technical assistance and advice from these organizations, and perform and execute all tasks related to participation in international treaties relating to intellectual property and the obligations under those treaties.

Additionally, conducting research on regional and international developments in the field of intellectual property, public awareness programs on the rights granted under the intellectual property laws in the Maldives, providing services required under the relevant intellectual property laws and collecting fees prescribed for such services are also among the responsibilities of this office.