On 18 July 2025, the Zanzibar Intellectual Property Office officially announced an increase in government fees for several intellectual property (IP) services. The revised fee structure has been introduced under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (Fees and Charges) Regulations, 2025.
According to the announcement, the new official fees will come into effect on 11 August 2025 and will apply to a wide range of intellectual property services administered by the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA).
Intellectual Property Services Affected
The revised fees will affect multiple categories of intellectual property protection, including:
- Trade Marks
- Patents
- Industrial Designs
These changes are intended to update and modernize the official fee schedule for intellectual property registration and administration in Zanzibar.
Application of the New Fees
The updated fees will generally apply prospectively, meaning they will affect new applications filed after 11 August 2025.
However, there is an important exception concerning pending trademark applications. For these applications:
- The publication period remains sixty (60) days from the date of publication.
- If the application proceeds to registration after the effective date, the new official registration fees will apply at the time of registration, even if the application was filed earlier.
This means applicants with pending trademark filings should be aware that the final registration fees may be higher under the new regulations.
Procedures Affected by the Fee Revision
The revised fee schedule will impact various intellectual property procedures, including:
- Filing of new IP applications
- Trademark renewals and late renewals
- Recording of ownership or address changes
- Amendments to applications or registrations
- Opposition proceedings
- Hearings before the IP authority
What This Means for Businesses and IP Owners
Businesses, innovators, and brand owners seeking intellectual property protection in Zanzibar should take note of the new official fee structure and plan their filings accordingly.
Early filing before the effective date may help avoid higher registration costs, particularly for trademark and patent applications.
Should you require assistance, kindly reach out to our team directly at www.gerpatsolutions.co.tz info@gerpatsolutions.co.tz, Mob: +244 742 826 955