Overview
Tanzania protects trademarks, patents, and industrial designs under national legislation administered by the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA). As a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), Tanzania gives applicants the choice of filing nationally through BRELA or using ARIPO protocols for wider regional protection. These channels allow both local and foreign applicants to safeguard their IP rights effectively.
Tanzania’s IP laws are largely in line with international standards, offering official examination processes and recourse to civil or administrative actions in case of unauthorized use. Enforcement occurs through the legal system, which can grant remedies such as injunctions, damages, and other relief measures.
International Conventions
Tanzania adheres to various international treaties and agreements that shape its IP framework, including:
Paris Convention
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
IP office
Trademark applications in Tanzania typically operate on a single-class filing basis, meaning each class of goods or services requires a separate application.
Applicants must file an application before BRELA, containing a clear reproduction of the trademark and payment of prescribed fees.
A substantive examination checks for distinctiveness and potential conflicts with prior registrations.
Once granted, registrations remain valid for 7 years from the date of registration, renewable thereafter in periods of 10 years.
Applicants must accurately provide name, address, and the specific class (or classes, if filed separately) of goods or services.
As a member of ARIPO under the Banjul Protocol, Tanzania makes it possible for trademark owners to extend coverage regionally through a single ARIPO filing.
Securing a trademark grants exclusive rights against infringement, enforceable through legal actions in Tanzanian courts.
Patents protect inventions that meet novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability requirements. Filings may be made directly with BRELA or through ARIPO’s Harare Protocol.
A patent remains valid for 20 years from the filing date, contingent upon payment of maintenance fees.
A specification, claims, and any relevant technical drawings must be submitted.
A substantive examination ensures compliance with local patentability criteria.
Tanzania’s membership in the PCT enables international applicants to enter the national phase after a PCT filing, securing patent rights in Tanzania.
Upon grant, patent holders have the exclusive right to use, manufacture, or license the invention within the country, with infringement claims pursued in Tanzanian courts.
Industrial design protection in Tanzania focuses on safeguarding the novel or original aesthetic features of an article. Applicants can file with BRELA or utilize ARIPO’s design protocol for regional coverage.
A formal application with drawings or representations of the design, along with official fees, is required.
Protection usually starts with an initial term of 5 years, renewable once.
Accurate applicant details must be provided to ensure valid registration.
Once registered, design owners can bar unauthorized manufacture, import, or distribution of products mirroring the protected design in Tanzania.
This information does not constitute legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.
