Govt seeks to create Intellectual Property Office

The government presented a bill to the Parliament on Tuesday seeking to create the Intellectual Property Office, a new government office that will be responsible for managing intellectual property.

The Maldives Intellectual Property Office Bill, sponsored by Kudahuvadhoo MP Hussain Hameed, a lawmaker from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), is designed to create and manage a mechanism to protect intellectual property, promote innovation, and boost the economy.

According to the new bill, the Intellectual Property Office created under the legislature 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 advisement 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.