Practice Area 02
Patents & Utility Models
A patent grants you the exclusive right to exploit your invention commercially — and the legal power to stop others from doing so without your authorisation.
What We Do
- ▸Patentability and novelty assessments
- ▸Prior art searches (international databases)
- ▸Drafting and filing patent applications with BRELA
- ▸Responding to examination reports from the Patents Office
- ▸PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) national phase entry in Tanzania
- ▸ARIPO Harare Protocol filings for regional patent protection
- ▸Utility model applications — faster track for incremental innovations
- ▸Annual renewal fee management
- ▸Patent licensing and technology transfer agreements
- ▸Patent due diligence for M&A and investment transactions
The Legal Framework
An invention shall be patentable if it is new, involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable. An invention shall be new if it is not anticipated by prior art.
A patent application filed at ARIPO designating Tanzania, if granted, shall have the same effect in Tanzania as a patent granted under national law. This Protocol remains active for patents (distinct from the suspended Banjul Protocol for trademarks).
An international application has the effect of a national application in all designated states from the international filing date. Tanzania accepts PCT national phase applications through BRELA within 30 months of the priority date.
Key Facts
Term: 20 years from filing date
Authority: BRELA — Patents Office
Regional: ARIPO Harare Protocol valid in Tanzania
International: PCT national phase accepted
Disclose After Filing
Any public disclosure of your invention before filing destroys novelty and prevents patenting. File before you talk, publish, or exhibit.
Protect Your Invention
File Before You Disclose
Public disclosure destroys novelty. Speak to us before exhibiting, publishing or presenting your invention.