Tanzania has introduced significant changes to its patent, utility model, design and trade mark laws under the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, No. 6 of 2026, effective from 2 October 2026.
Key changes include:
Patents: Protection now runs for 20 years from the filing date, replacing the previous 10-year term with possible extensions.
Utility models: The maximum term of protection has increased from seven to 10 years.
Patent exclusions: The Minister may exclude specified products or manufacturing processes from patent protection for up to 10 years.
ARIPO rights: Recognition of ARIPO patents and utility models in Tanzania continues, with the legislation clarifying the definition of the ARIPO Office.
Designs: The automatic extension of UK registered designs to Tanzania has been repealed. Protection may instead be obtained through applicable regional and international systems designating Tanzania.
Trade marks: Tanzania has taken an important step towards closing the enforceability gap affecting ARIPO trade marks and modernising its wider trade mark framework. Please see our separate article on this subject.
Action for rights holders: Businesses should review their Tanzanian IP portfolios and filing strategies, particularly where design protection has previously relied on UK registrations.
If you would like advice on how these changes may affect your portfolio, or assistance with obtaining IP protection in Tanzania or elsewhere in Africa, please do not hesitate to contact us.