Zanzibar

Trade Mark Services & Trade Mark Lawyers

Forms part of

No
ARIPO
No
OAPI
No
MADRID
Yes
SERVICE CLASSES
NA
NICE CLASSIFICATION

9th edition

Yes
WELL-KNOWN TRADE MARKS RECOGNISED?

OAPI

ARIPO

International Arrangements

Zanzibar is a party to the Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property. It is possible to claim priority under the Paris Convention.

Classification

Zanzibar follows a single class filing system and recognises both goods and services classes in terms of the 9th edition of the Nice Classification.

Registration Procedure

The total time from filing to registration is approximately 24 months. Trade mark applications are examined for compliance with formal and substantive requirements and are published in the official gazette after acceptance. Trade marks may be opposed within 60 days from the date of publication.

Common Law and Well-Known Trade Marks

Well-known trade marks in terms of the Paris Convention are recognised in Zanzibar.

Duration of Registration, Renewal and Non-Use

Trade mark registrations are valid for 10 years from the date of filing and may be renewed indefinitely for 7-year periods thereafter.

A registered trade mark may be cancelled on action by an interested party if it has not been used for a continuous period of 3 years after the date of registration.

Customs Recordal

Customs recordals are possible.

Patent

Forms part of

Yes
ARIPO
No
OAPI
Yes
PARIS CONVENTION
Yes
PCT

OAPI

ARIPO

International Arrangements

Paris Convention;
ARIPO (Harare Protocol);
PCT and
WTO/TRIPS.

Types of Patents

Patents for inventions;
Divisional patents; and
Utility model certificates for inventions that renew, inventive and industrially applicable.

Novelty Requirements

Absolute novelty.

Grace Period/Prior knowledge

No provisions.

Examination procedure

Patent applications are examined as to compliance with formal requirements. 

Duration & Maintenance

A patent is valid for 20 years calculated from the filing date.

Renewal fees are payable annually. A six-month grace period is provided, subject to surcharges.

Working Requirement

Patent must be worked within four years from date of filing or three years from date of grant, whichever period expires last. A compulsory licence may be granted if Patent is not worked in Zanzibar.

Design

Forms part of

Yes
ARIPO
No
OAPI
Yes
PARIS CONVENTION
Currently not possible to obtain design protection.

OAPI

ARIPO