When a traveller asks for a specimen of Maldivian musical artistry his/her local guide will often produce a copy of Zero Degree Atoll's Dhoni Album. It is usually not a copyrighted CD/cassette/MP3s purchased from the publisher or one of its authorized dealer. In all likelihood the CD/cassette/MP3s will be a pirated item(s). The benevolent traveller, who demonstrates an interest in safeguarding the artist's rights, may decline the item but can hardly take further steps to inform the respective authorities. How can they, given that such authorities cannot be clearly identified (or do they even exist?).

In an investment climate statement published in 2006, the US Department of State establishes that 'Maldives lacks specific legislation to protect intellectual property rights and has not signed on to international agreements and conventions.' Without legislative implementations the facade of copyrights protection can be likened to a bikini-clad woman wearing a purdah.

The lack of such legal avenues have seen many an organization and individual deterred from publishing their materials for off-the-shelf purchase. Instead, musicians prefer gigs over CDs, software developers prefer one-off projects over packaged goods, motion picture producers prefer TV shows over movies and so on. When intellectual products are not published publicly there is no proving ground for the accession of the producers. It is only through prolific introduction of a class of products that the respective producers are classified as an industry.

At a time when political pundits are criticizing the method of governance in Maldives it is surprising that none have questioned the lack of industrial reform. The frameworks demanding decentralization, public transport infrastructures, housing plans and cottage industries, have grossly neglected intellectual property rights; the foundation of all potential economic welfare.

Perhaps these pundits and social leaders themselves have the same scavenging mentality as the rest of the pirates. Perhaps they too will pirate new software releases (remember Faseyha Thaana?), music publications or movies for the sake of monetary returns or personal savings. Or perhaps some of them already have investments in pirating businesses.

Whatever the case is, the current 'industrial' climate in Maldives prevents pioneers from prospering through intellectual investments. In addition to hampering indigenous intellects, international investors are dissuaded from establishing comprehensive services in the country. How could it no be so given that such products as the whole Microsoft Office suite (whatever the edition) can be purchased for no more than USD 2.00 (per DVD). A copy of some of the most expensive software products, such as 3D Studio Max, go for the same price. The cost of production is no more than the cost of the DVD/CD.

Movie pirating is even more lucrative. Numerous vendors around the capital of Maldives sell DVDs at about USD 4.00 a pop. Movie piracy is so commonplace that despite having a censorship act these shops sell uncensored DVDs in premises that are registered with the Ministry of Trade. What's more, I have personally seen numerous ministers purchasing items from these shops.

Whilst the world of music is battling for the appeasement of consumers and vendors without violating the rights of artists, the Maldives pays homage solely to vendors. Many a shop sells DVDs filled with all the artists one might wish to listen to throughout the course of a whole year for generally no more than USD 4.00. The local artists are even worse off unless they have mutual affiliations with political figures.

Ministers' kids visiting their mates with pirated copies of the latest Harry Potter movie is routine. The employees of a government department swapping photocopies of a Harvard Business Review is unremarkable. Sharing a folder-full of pirated movies to a whole resort is just so banal.

The Maldives needs to understand that piracy can lead to the demise of domestic intellectual products and subsequently to the lack of industrial development. Unless legal measures are devised and the necessary regulatory bodies established, the people capable of developing such products will gradually migrate to more fruitful economies.