African IP Update: Navigating Intellectual Property Registration and the 2025 Zanzibar Fee Changes

Securing your intellectual property in a vibrant and unique market like Zanzibar is a critical step for any business looking to protect its brand and innovations. Understanding the formal process, especially in light of recent regulatory updates, is essential for a smooth experience. For international applicants, navigating the Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA) requires a partner with local knowledge and global expertise. This guide, prepared by our team at De Beer Attorneys, introduces the key IP registration processes and provides clarity on the updated official fees for trademark, patent, and industrial design registration in Zanzibar.

Our South African law firm has cultivated a deep expertise in African IP law, offering clients across the globe seamless and expert guidance on the Zanzibar IP landscape. We believe in transparent, upfront advice to help you make informed and financially sound decisions for your business.

Unpacking the New 2025 Zanzibar IP Fee Structure

It is crucial for all applicants to be aware that the BPRA has implemented a revised schedule of official fees effective from the 11th of August, 2025. These changes, which were gazetted in July 2025, include fee increases in addition to introducing new fees for a comprehensive range of services covering trademarks, patents, and industrial designs.

This adjustment means that all new applications, in addition to any pending applications for which fees had not been paid by the effective date, will be subject to these updated official charges. At De Beer Attorneys, we provide our clients with immediate and clear advice on these updated Zanzibar trademark fees, patent fees, and industrial design fees to ensure there are no unexpected costs incurred.

A Guide to Trademark Registration and Prosecution in Zanzibar

Your trademark is the cornerstone of your brand identity. Registering this asset in Zanzibar grants you exclusive rights to its use in the market and is a powerful tool to wield against imitation.

A Zanzibar trademark application undergoes several stages on its path to registration, each with its own official cost: comprehensive pre-filing trademark search, filing of the application, examination of the mark by BPRA, publication in the national journal for opposition, and finally, registration. These all are functions of trademark prosecution. Trademark prosecution in Zanzibar refers to the skilled management of your application through these stages (and other functions post-registration), such as responding to examination reports and overcoming objections. With the recent BPRA fee adjustments, having experienced legal counsel to navigate the process efficiently is more valuable than ever.

Securing Your Invention: Patent Registration in Zanzibar

For inventors, a patent is a powerful tool that protects an invention by granting the holder a territorial monopoly on its production and sale. The patent application process in Zanzibar is a detailed undertaking, requiring a precise set of claims and descriptions to meet strict legal requirements.

Filing for Zanzibar patent registration is a significant investment. The complexity of drafting a watertight patent specification means that professional assistance is crucial. The associated official patent fees in Zanzibar include filing, examination, and annuity payments, all of which have been affected by the 2025 changes. Our role is to ensure your application is prepared correctly the first time, providing clarity on the total cost of securing and maintaining your patent rights.

Protecting Your Designs: Industrial Design Registration

The unique aesthetic appearance of a product is a valuable business asset. Industrial design protection in Zanzibar safeguards your product's visual design from being copied. The process, while generally more straightforward than for patents, requires applications to be presented correctly to meet requirements for novelty.

The official industrial design fees for Zanzibar registration have too been updated under the new schedule. We can guide you through the industrial design application process, ensuring your application is robust and that you have a complete understanding of the official costs involved.

Why Choose De Beer Attorneys as Your Specialist Firm for Your Zanzibar IP Filings?

The nuances of Zanzibar's IP system, combined with significant fee changes, make the guidance of a specialised law firm a wise investment. We handle the entire process of your Zanzibar IP filing on your behalf: from conducting preliminary availability searches to managing all correspondence and payment of necessary fees with BPRA. This not only saves you valuable time, but also mitigates the risk of costly errors or objections that could delay your registration.

Protecting your intellectual property in Zanzibar is a strategic business decision. In light of the BPRA fee increases, our commitment is to provide exceptional value. We maintain transparent and competitive professional fees, giving you the expertise you need without compromise.

At De Beer Attorneys, we offer our clients peace of mind. Our team provides expert, personalised support for your Zanzibar trademark prosecution, patent application, and industrial design registration needs. We demystify the new costs and guide you every step of the way.

Ready to secure your intellectual property rights in Zanzibar? Contact De Beer Attorneys today for a confidential consultation and a detailed, transparent breakdown of the new official fees and professional charges for your specific needs. Email us at info@debeerattorneys.com today.

This information was last updated on 19 September 2025. This information is for general educational and entertainment purposes and is subject to change at any time.