National Parliament unanimously approves Government’s proposed industrial property code
DÍLI, 23 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The National Parliament unanimously approved, on September 22nd, 2026, in a final overall vote, Law Proposal No. 18/VI (2nd) – Industrial Property Code, presented by the Government, with 49 votes in favour, no votes against, and no abstentions. The new legal framework lays the foundation for protecting industrial property rights in Timor-Leste and for meeting international commitments in this area.
The plenary session was attended by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, and the Vice-Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Adérito Hugo da Costa.
The Code establishes a specific legal framework for protecting industrial property in Timor-Leste, covering, among other rights, inventions, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications. Its application will also strengthen the protection and enhancement of national products through industrial property mechanisms.
The creation of this regime also responds to Timor-Leste’s international commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and to its integration into ASEAN, particularly in relation to the implementation of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
The now-approved proposal stems from a legislative process initiated by the Government. An initial version was approved and later revised to better reflect Timor-Leste’s international commitments. The new version, presented by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Filipus Nino Pereira, was approved by the Council of Ministers in February 2025. The National Parliament subsequently approved the proposal in principle on June 15th, 2026, with 44 votes in favour, no votes against, and 16 abstentions, followed by detailed consideration and the final overall vote.
Legislation on industrial property complements the national framework for protecting intellectual property. Timor-Leste already has the Copyright and Related Rights Code, approved by Law No. 14/2022 of December 21st, but does not yet have specific legislation regulating industrial property rights.
In parallel with the legislative process, the Government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been preparing the institutional and administrative conditions necessary for the application of the new regime, including drafting regulations and administrative procedures, developing technical capacity and human resources, and establishing the structure responsible for the administration of industrial property.
This work relies on the cooperation of international partners. During Timor-Leste’s participation in the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in July of this year, support for the regulation and implementation of the Code, technical training, the digitisation of services, and the creation and operationalisation of the national structure responsible for intellectual property were discussed.
The Government has also been developing cooperation in this area with international institutions and partners, including WIPO, the Ministry of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the European Union, the International Trade Centre, and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office.
After the parliamentary process concludes, the diploma will proceed through the constitutional procedures for enactment and publication, while preparations for its implementation continue.
TATOLI
