The short answer
On 22 September 2026 the National Parliament of Timor-Leste unanimously approved the country's first Industrial Property Code. It covers inventions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications. A working IP office is the next milestone, so registration is not possible yet.
What Timor-Leste approved
According to a Marks & Clerk note of 23 October 2026, the Code meets Timor-Leste's obligations after it joined the WTO (as its 166th member) and ASEAN (as the 11th member state, October 2025).
- Covers inventions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications, among others.
- It is the first law on industrial property in the country.
- Timor-Leste already had copyright legislation.
The gap until now
Without an industrial property law, brand owners and inventors relied on cautionary notices published in local newspapers. A notice can serve as evidence of ownership and prior use, but it is not a registered right.
What comes next
The Code gives the legal foundation for registration, which becomes clearer once the legislation is published. The next milestone is a functioning IP office. According to the note, Timor-Leste is progressing towards it under a two-year operational roadmap with support from WIPO.
Until the office is operational, businesses cannot register trademarks, designs or patents in Timor-Leste. Watch for the publication of the Code and the office opening date.
Why it matters to brand owners
The note says most branded consumer goods, electronics and pharmaceuticals sold in Timor-Leste are made elsewhere, and the country imported USD 960 million of goods in 2025 against USD 41 million of exports. Without registered rights, owners face counterfeiting and the risk of local parties filing for their trademarks first.
Local products may gain too. The note gives coffee as an example: Ermera, a high-altitude municipality that produces about half of the country's coffee, is a natural candidate for geographical indication protection.
What brand owners should do now
Keep evidence of use
- Keep records of sales, advertising and first use in Timor-Leste.
Watch the publication
- Follow publication of the Code and the start date of the IP office.
Plan your filings
- Prepare a priority list of marks, designs and inventions for the first filing window.
Use a local or regional attorney
- Appoint counsel once filing opens.
Timor-Leste Industrial Property Code: FAQ
Can I register a trademark in Timor-Leste now?
Not yet. The Code was approved on 22 September 2026, but a functioning IP office is still the next milestone.
What does the Code cover?
Inventions, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications, among others.
What did owners use before?
Cautionary notices in local newspapers. They can be evidence of ownership and prior use, but they are not a registered right.
Planning to protect a brand in ASEAN?
SUPREMEiP® helps brand owners plan trademark filings across Asia. Write to us.
