Timor-Leste moves to strengthen protection of industrial property rights
DILI, 24 September 2026 (TATOLI) — Timor-Leste’s National Parliament has unanimously approved a new Industrial Property Code aimed at establishing a legal framework to protect inventions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications.
The proposed law, submitted by the Government as Draft Law No. 18/VI (2nd), was approved in a final vote on September 22 with 49 votes in favour, no votes against and no abstentions.
The legislation is intended to strengthen the protection and commercial value of industrial property in Timor-Leste while bringing the country’s legal framework into line with its international commitments, including those linked to membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and ASEAN.
The new code covers several areas of industrial property, including inventions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications. It is also expected to provide mechanisms to protect and promote nationally produced goods and encourage innovation and creativity.
The legislation addresses requirements associated with the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), as well as Timor-Leste’s broader integration into ASEAN and relevant international intellectual property standards.
The measure completes an important part of Timor-Leste’s intellectual property framework. The country already has a Copyright and Related Rights Code under Law No. 14/2022 of December 21, but had not previously had specific legislation governing industrial property rights.
The legislative process has taken several years. The proposal was submitted to Parliament in 2025 and received approval in principle on June 15, 2026, with 44 votes in favour, no votes against and 16 abstentions. It was subsequently examined in detail before receiving final approval on September 22. Parliamentary records show that the detailed review was approved on July 14.
The Government has also been preparing the administrative and institutional arrangements needed to implement the new law. These include developing regulations and administrative procedures, strengthening technical and human-resource capacity, and establishing the institution responsible for administering industrial property rights.
The implementation work has involved international cooperation. During Timor-Leste’s participation in the 68th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in July, discussions covered support for implementing the code, technical training, digitalisation of services and the establishment and operation of a national industrial property administration.
The Government has also been working with WIPO, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the European Union, the International Trade Centre and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office on intellectual property-related cooperation.
The parliamentary session that approved the code was attended by Minister of Trade and Industry Filipus Nino Pereira and Vice-Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Adérito Hugo da Costa.
Following parliamentary approval, the legislation will proceed through the remaining constitutional procedures, including promulgation and publication, while the Government continues preparations for its implementation.
TATOLI
