Azaan: Additional laws needed to protect Maldivian products

Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq has emphasized the need for additional legislation to protect the property and products of private individuals, citing the lack of effective enforcement despite existing laws in the Maldives.

Azaan made the remark during Monday’s parliamentary debate on the trademark bill, which was submitted on behalf of the government by ruling PNC MP Ahmed Zahir.

In this regard, Azaan argued that the bill is essential, responding to lawmakers who cited it was unnecessary due to the existing Copyright Act. He explained that trademark and copyright are two completely different things, adding trademark protects a brand while copyright protects the work of producers.

Azaan noted that some lawmakers had expressed concern over lack of protection for some Maldivian products. He echoed these concerns, expressing support for their sentiments, while also stressing that the trademark bill alone would not fully address the issue.

“For example, Kandoodhoo Mirus (Kandoodhoo chilli) is being produced in Sri Lanka and imported to the Maldives. A trademark bill alone would not resolve this,” he said.

“Such products need to be protected under a broader intellectual property law. For example, cheese produced in Italy is named based on the region where they are produced. In the Maldives, Kandoodhoo Mirus has been named in the same manner,” he added.

Azaan emphasized that legislation is necessary to ensure the protection of such products. In this trajectory, he pointed out that one of the gaps in the Maldives' legal framework is the absence of a patent law.

“As such, I believe a patent law should be introduced alongside the trademark bill. Similarly, legislation to protect industrial designs and trade secrets is also essential. I do not believe the intended objectives can be fully achieved without the implementation of all these laws together,” he said.

Azaan expressed concern over the lack of enforcement of existing legislation, noting that many laws remain unimplemented. As an example, he cited the Consumer Protection Act, which, he said, is not being enforced as it should be.

A trademark is a type of intellectual property that includes a word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these elements, used to identify the source of a product or service and differentiate it from those of others.

According to the trademark bill, its objective is to establish a legal framework for trademark registration, thereby creating a supportive environment for producers and artists. It seeks to introduce the primary regulation governing trademark registration, define the rights of trademark owners, and outline the measures that can be taken in cases of trademark infringement.

A trademark registered in the Maldives will be valid for a period of 10 years, with the option to renew it for an additional 10 years upon the expiration of the initial term.

The sixth chapter of the bill outlines what can be considered trademark infringement. Any act amounting to a trademark infringement carries a fine between MVR 1 million and MVR 2 million.