Trademarks

A trademark applicant is not required to search for conflicting marks before using a trademark, or applying to register a trademark in Tanzania Mainland & Zanzibar. However, the most important reasons to do a trademark search are: i. to avoid liability from trademark infringement lawsuits. ii. to identify potential prior…

Protecting your brand in Zanzibar requires proper registration and timely renewal of your trademark. Trademark protection in Zanzibar is governed by the Zanzibar Industrial Property Act, which provides legal rights to trademark owners and ensures brand protection in the market. Renewing your trademark on time is essential to maintain exclusive…

On 18 July 2025, the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), through the Zanzibar Intellectual Property Office, officially announced a revision of government fees for Intellectual Property (IP) services in Zanzibar. The revised fees were introduced under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (Charges) Regulations, 2025, and will…

Introduction A trademark is a unique sign—such as a logo, symbol, or name—used to distinguish goods or services from those of other businesses. Registering a trademark in Zanzibar provides legal protection, helping to secure brand identity and prevent unauthorised use. Trademark registration in Zanzibar is a legal process governed independently…

 COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE In Tanzania, principal sources of law relating to patents are Patents (Registration) Act[Cap.217], Patents Regulations G.N No. 490 of 1994, the Protection of New Plant Varieties (Plant Breeders’ Rights) Act, 2002 and the archaic Design Protection Ordinance [Cap 219].The process is administered by the Business Registrations and Licensing…

Introduction. A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides in general a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem. In Zanzibar, patent registration falls under the Zanzibar Industrial Property Act No. 4…

Intellectual property (IP) in Tanzania is protected through a combination of national laws and international treaties, governed by the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA), Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA), and the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) In the fast-paced and dynamic landscape of intellectual property rights, safeguarding creative assets and brand identities is…

ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization) trademark system offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to obtain trademark protection across multiple African countries through a centralized application process. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in filing trademarks under the ARIPO trademark system: Understanding the ARIPO Trademark System ARIPO is…