IP OVERVIEW OF MALDIVES

The Republic of Maldives or the Maldives Islands is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until 25 July 1965. On 26 July 1965, an agreement was signed, and the Islands become independent. Two years later (11 November 1968) the republic is declared.

For many centuries the Maldivian economy was entirely dependent on fishing. Instead fishing remains the main occupation of the people and the government gives priority to the fisheries sector, the Maldivian economy is essentially based on tourism. Agriculture and manufacturing have a important role in the economy also.

Maldives does not have any specific IP law or Office. Therefore, the filing of a patent application is not possible at this time and the IP protection is made through the publication of cautionary notices in local newspapers. Besides, there's no data base or registry of trademarks, so the trademark search is impossible.

In regard of the cautionary notice, its publication is 3 years renewable and the requirements are as follows:

-Name, address and nationality of the applicant

-Legal status of the applicant

-Trademark

-International class

-Description of Goods or Services (if required)