The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has commended the Maldivian government for its strides in intellectual property protection.
In a statement, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reported that WIPO Director General Daren Tang praised the government for ratifying the Maldives Intellectual Property Office Bill.
According to the Ministry, Daren highlighted key achievements in intellectual property, including the amendment of the Copyright Act, the drafting of the Trademark Bill, and Maldives’ decision to join the Berne Convention.
The Berne Convention, established in 1886 and administered by WIPO, is an international agreement ensuring that creative works like books, music, and art are protected across its 180 member countries. This allows Maldivian creators to have their works safeguarded abroad without needing to register in each country, opening up global opportunities.
The ministry noted that joining the Berne Convention is a historic first, providing international protection for Maldivian products. This, alongside enhanced intellectual property rights, will empower local manufacturers and entrepreneurs by securing their innovations for global markets.
The amendment to the Copyright Act, originally enacted in 2010 and updated recently, modernizes safeguards for literary and artistic works such as books, paintings, and songs. With Maldives’ accession to the Berne Convention, these protections now extend to 180 countries, enabling creators to sell, license, and promote their works abroad without additional registration, as stated by the ministry.
Meanwhile, the Trademark Bill, currently at the parliamentary committee stage, aims to strengthen brand protection for businesses and startups. This legislation will boost customer confidence, prevent counterfeiting, and create a secure environment for international companies to protect their brands in Maldives.
The ministry also reported that a WIPO delegation visited the Maldives Manufacturing Fair and provided specialized intellectual property training to 187 participants from May 25 to 30.
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