The government has submitted a sweeping Trademark Bill to parliament, seeking to reinforce the country’s intellectual property regime while advancing the interests of domestic producers and artists. The draft legislation, introduced by Maduvvari lawmaker Ahmed Zahir on behalf of the administration, outlines a system for formalising trademark registration, clarifying ownership rights, and establishing firm legal mechanisms to combat infringement and counterfeiting.
Under the proposal, a trademark is defined as any sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one entity from another. Exclusive rights would be granted only upon official registration, enabling holders to block unauthorised commercial use of similar or identical marks, particularly in cases where such use could cause confusion over the origin of a product or service. The bill also outlines conditions under which these protections would not apply.
Legal remedies for infringement constitute a key provision of the legislation, empowering courts to issue interim orders that either halt violations or secure relevant evidence. In cases where delays could cause lasting harm, judges may issue injunctions without prior notice to the alleged offender. Where infringement is found, the courts could award compensation and order reimbursement of expenses incurred in enforcing rights.
The bill addresses counterfeiting in explicit terms, prohibiting the manufacture, import, sale, and export of goods bearing unauthorised reproductions of registered trademarks. Financial penalties range from USD 6,484.52 to USD 129,690.34.
Registrations granted under the new framework would remain valid for ten years, with the option for renewal in successive ten-year terms. To facilitate a seamless transition, the bill offers a twelve-month grace period for holders of existing trademarks to re-register. Those failing to do so within the timeframe would see their trademarks revoked. Implementation is scheduled for twelve months following the bill’s ratification.