Parliament considers trademark bill

 A bill to establish a trademark registration system and protect the rights of artists and manufacturers was introduced in the Parliament on Monday.

The Trademark Bill was submitted on behalf of the government by Ahmed Zahir, Member of Parliament for Maduvvari. While presenting the bill, Zahir stated that the proposed legislation seeks to introduce a formal system for registering trademarks in the Maldives, define the scope of rights granted to registered trademark owners, and establish mechanisms to address trademark infringements.

The bill defines a trademark as any sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one party from those of another. According to the provisions, trademark rights would be granted to the first party to file a valid application or otherwise demonstrate entitlement to the mark.

Under the proposed law, the holder of a registered trademark would have the right to prevent unauthorised use of an identical or similar mark by others for goods or services. The trademark holder may also seek legal remedies, including compensation, for infringement.

During the debate session held in Parliament, members expressed general support for the bill. It marks the first time that a standalone trademark bill has been proposed in the legislature.

Some MPs, however, noted that certain protections already exist under current copyright laws. They argued that enforcement, rather than the absence of legal protections, remains the primary issue. Several members also proposed changes to the draft, which they said should be considered during the committee stage review.

The bill will now move to committee for further examination and possible amendments before being brought back to the floor for final reading and vote.