Pres. establishes Maldives Intellectual Property Office aimed at protecting intellectual property

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Thursday, has established the Maldives Intellectual Property Office (MIPO) under Article 4(a) of the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act.

MIPO will operate under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

The Maldives Intellectual Property Office Act was passed by the Parliament on August 11, 2025, and ratified by the President on August 21^st, 2025.

The legislature came into force on Thursday.

Under the Intellectual Property Office Act, MIPO will be headed by the Registrar of Intellectual Property, who will be appointed and dismissed by the Economic Minister. Meanwhile, the pay will be decided by the National Pay Commission under advice from the Economic Minister.

The powers and responsibilities of Intellectual Property Office:

• Registration of intellectual property
• Creating and updating a registry of intellectual property
• Collaborating with international intellectual property organizations and seeking technical assistance and advice
• Taking part in international conventions on intellectual property
• Researching regional and global developments in the field of intellectual property
• Running public awareness programs regarding rights afforded under intellectual property laws
• Provision of services required under intellectual property laws and processing fees for services rendered
• Fulfilling the responsibilities defined under intellectual property laws as well as other duties and obligations

Intellectual property is defined in the bill as all intellectual property protected under relevant laws, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs and geographical indications.