The administration of a deceased person's estate in Tanzania is a legal necessity governed by the Probate and Administration of Estates Act and the Probate Rules.
The application process differs significantly depending on whether the deceased died testate (left a valid Will) or intestate (died without leaving a valid Will).

Trademarks are crucial assets in commercial transactions, particularly in competitive industries such as the confectionery market. They distinguish goods in the eyes of consumers and safeguard brand reputation. However, a recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania in Lakairo Industries Group Co. Ltd & Others v. Kenafrica Industries Ltd & Others, Civil Appeal No. 593 of 2022 (26 September 2025), reaffirms that trademark rights are inherently territorial.

Tanzania has significantly tightened its regulatory grip on the mining sector with the publication of the Mining (Local Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, reinforcing mandatory participation for indigenous companies and clarifying operational requirements. These amendments, which update the original Mining (Local Content) Regulation, 2018, are designed to maximize local benefits and technology transfer.

This ruling from the Hearing Committee in Tanzania addresses a dispute between four companies (Chompisa Enterprise Ltd, ASB Investment Ltd, Haniyabibi Investment Ltd & Delhi Darbar Investment Ltd) and the Chief Inspector of the Merchandise Marks Act (the 1st respondent) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (the 2nd respondent). The claimants challenged the seizure of 1,150 cartons of "Doctor Good" and "Fresh Doctor" toothbrushes, which were detained for allegedly infringing on Colgate's "Double Action" trademark.

The Immigration Department of the United Republic of Tanzania has announced a major verification exercise for all foreign nationals living and working in the country. The press release, issued by the Chief Spokesperson of the Immigration Department, is aimed at informing the public, including employers and business owners, about the upcoming inspection.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) is introducing a new approach to supervising Tier II Microfinance Service Providers, shifting towards a guided self-regulatory model. This initiative, announced on August 7, 2025, is a collaborative effort with the Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI) and the Tanzania Microfinance Institutions Union (TAMIU). The goal is to enhance market practices, improve governance, and strengthen consumer protection within the sector.

All trademarks relating to goods to be imported into Mainland Tanzania will now be required to be recorded with the Chief Inspector of Merchandise Marks, regardless of their place of initial registration. This new measure will accord all recorded trademarks proactive protection against counterfeit imports, in line with the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act.

Trademark recordation is the process of registering a trademark with a national authority to create a formal, official record of ownership. This procedure is distinct from the initial trademark registration, as it specifically focuses on ensuring that a trademark is protected at a country's borders against counterfeit or infringing goods. By recording a trademark, the owner enables customs officials and other regulatory bodies to proactively monitor and seize unauthorized goods before they enter the market.

The case began after the death of Diana Artenis Ranger, a Tanzanian citizen of Greek origin, who died without a will in 2006. Her estate included a landed property in Dar es Salaam. Her brother, Anastasious Anagnastou, and other heirs were non-citizens of Tanzania. The High Court had initially granted letters of administration to a non-citizen heir, and this decision was appealed.

Before delving into the role of substantive examination, it is important to understand the close relationship between quality and value. For any product or innovation to hold a strong market position, it must possess quality, which in turn drives its market value.
In the context of patents, once a patent is granted for a product or process, the patent owner obtains exclusive rights to manufacture, use, import, offer for sale, or utilize that product or process.

The Court of Appeal of Tanzania recently delivered a significant ruling in Civil Application No. 278/01 of 2023, clarifying the limitations of land ownership rights for non-citizens under Tanzanian law. This ruling not only underscores the protection of Tanzanian citizens’ property rights but also highlights the interplay between various legal frameworks governing land and estate administration.

The Ministry of Land, Housing, and Urban Development has launched a dedicated Land Clinic aimed at accelerating land ownership processes in areas where the Land Tenure Improvement Project (LTIP) has been implemented. This strategic initiative is designed to streamline land registration and enhance access to property rights for citizens, fostering secure and formal land tenure.

The United Republic of Tanzania has introduced a new regulation called the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025. This law aims to control the types of business activities that non-citizens can engage in within the country. It emphasizes the importance of national ownership and seeks to promote local businesses by restricting certain economic activities to Tanzanian citizens only.

For the first time in 2018 Civil Procedure Code recognized the principle of overriding objectives in civil disputes. This legislative amendment made it clear that the overriding objective shall be to facilitate the just, expeditious, proportionate and affordable resolution of civil disputes .

Failure of a limited liability partnership to keep a register of its beneficial owners; enter in its register of beneficial owners information relating to its beneficial owners; lodge with the Registrar a copy of its register of beneficial owners; lodge with the Registrar a copy of any amendment to its register of beneficial owners

Partnerships are simply collaborations between two or more people or organizations who work together towards a common goal. Any two or more persons who claim to be partners or are liable as partners and carry on business in Tanzania have the right to sue or be sued in the name of their partnership firm. This applies if they were partners at the time the cause of action arose.

The Tanzanian Revenue Authority (TRA) has issued a one-month window for all digital platform based businesses including Airbnb, Booking.com, Meta (Facebook, Instagram), and others to officially register and begin paying taxes. Failure to comply within this period will lead to legal action, including fines and penalties.

Despite the general right of access, certain information may be withheld if its disclosure is likely to undermine national security, impede lawful investigations, endanger lives, facilitate the commission of offenses, infringe on privacy rights (except for applicants or persons on whose behalf requests are made), infringe lawful commercial interests, hinder economic management, or damage legal proceedings.

If a destitute person fails to report as ordered, they may be subject to a fine not exceeding five thousand shillings or imprisonment for up to (3) three months. Similarly, failure to find work before the specified date or failure of detention in custody to result in employment may lead to further orders, such as requiring the individual to return to their usual residence or, if not a native, to be detained for up to one month for deportation purposes.

EPZA specifically deals with investments in manufacturing industries within designated export zones. Its primary focus is on encouraging new investments in manufacturing for export purposes, with strict conditions. For example, only 20% of the products manufactured within the EPZ zones can be sold in the Tanzanian domestic market, and the rest must be exported. EPZA's scope is limited to activities within these zones, emphasizing export-oriented manufacturing and infrastructure improvements linked to the zones.

Patent protection means that an invention cannot be made, used, distributed, imported, or sold by others without the permission of the patent owner. This legal safeguard encourages innovation by giving inventors exclusive rights to benefit from their creations. However, when it comes to medicines and pharmaceuticals, patent laws can sometimes limit access to affordable healthcare, especially in developing countries.

The first half of 2025 ends on 30 June. One of the things that has been done in Tanzania is to set the Structure of cooperative societies. In response to the changes, cooperative societies will be required to have the following structure: -

The law gives the Minister responsible for trade affairs upon publication in the Gazette, prohibition importation into Tanganyika for sale of goods of any class or description unless in compliance with requirement in place. The aim of the law is to prevent counterfeit products from being imported into the country. However, despite the many efforts of the government and various stakeholders, there have been many fake products entering the country.

Electronic communication services refer to a broad range of services that enable the exchange of information, data, voice, or multimedia content through electronic means. These services utilize electronic devices and infrastructure such as the internet, telecommunications networks, satellites, and other digital platforms to facilitate communication between individuals, organizations, or systems.

The case affirms that no decision affecting the register including nullification can be lawfully made without affording the Registrar the opportunity to be heard, the decision reiterates the fundamental principle that no party should suffer a legal detriment without an opportunity to be heard and it sets precedent that any judicial intervention in registered trademarks must follow legal procedures, including proper joinder of parties.

The process of filing appeals is a fundamental judicial process, providing individuals and organizations with a structured mechanism to challenge decisions they deem unfair or incorrect. The procedures for submitting appeals, the specific timeframes within which appeals must be made, and the hierarchical jurisdiction that oversees and adjudicates these appeals. Understanding these elements is essential to ensure fairness, and efficiency in the appeals process.

The Mining (Technical Support to Small Scale Miners) Regulations, 2025, establish a comprehensive legal structure to guide the provision of technical assistance to holders of Primary Mining Licenses (PMLs), as part of a broader effort to promote sustainable and responsible mining practices. This framework aims to facilitate the transfer of specialized knowledge, skills, and modern technologies that are not readily available within the country, thereby enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and environmental management.

A recent government probe has unearthed a deep-rooted issue: foreign nationals dominating entire supply chains, from imports to online retail, often without proper permits or in violation of business laws. Some operate under Tanzanian fronts, others evade tax through fake receipts or unregistered platforms. The implications? They're not just regulatory — they’re economic and structural.

The Black Law Dictionary defines Whistleblower to mean an employee who reports employer wrongdoings to a governmental or law-enforcement agency. In another hands, in the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Act Whistleblower is defines to means any person who makes the disclosure of wrongdoing in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Personal data and Privacy are a fundamental right recognized by the Constitution of United Republic of Tanzania as well as International treaties and conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

In civil proceedings, period of limitation commences from the date on which the right of action for such proceeding accrues. Example, in the case of a suit for damages for inducing a person to break a contract, the right of action shall be deemed to have accrued on the date of the breach. Every proceeding which is instituted after the period of limitation shall be dismissed.

DARSTATE ATTORNEYS is an IP agent in Tanzania, Zanzibar and before the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization. The firm is actively involved in prosecuting intellectual property rights and litigating complex antitrust cases throughout Tanzania Mainland, Tanzania Zanzibar and before the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO).

This appeal arises from the decision of the High court in civil case filed by the appellant by then the Plaintiff against the respondent for trademark infringement. The Appellant and Respondent each own a trademark registered with the Registrar of Trade and Service Marks in class 32.

Block chain means is a decentralized digital ledger technology that securely records and stores data across a network of computers: Examples of Blockchain: Cryptocurrencies, Digital Identity.

Setting up an offshore company in Tanzania involves establishing a physical office within the country and registering with the Registrar of Companies. To comply with local laws, certain documents and information must be provided within thirty days of establishing the place of business:

In today’s digital world, personal data is the new gold, but with great power comes great responsibility. Whether you're running a bank, an online store, a telecom company, a hospital, or even a small business that collects customer data, you need to ensure you're following Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act, 2022.

Intellectual Property rights (IP) means the protection, safeguarding of creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans.

The micro finance service providers are governed by Bank of Tanzania, which gives license to operate within the country, existence of laws and regulations is to enable compliance of these institutions. The main services offered by the microfinance service providers are financial services like loans, savings, insurance products and financial literacy from banks, credit companies and digital lenders.

Have you ever wondered what Traditional Knowledge (TK) means? Does your community have Traditional Knowledge (TK)? What priority do you give to it, and how does it help bring about the development of your community and other communities around you? What steps do you take to protect it?

Not every person has mandate to file PCT regional phase entry in ARIPO. It is for the applicant who is a resident or whose principal place of business is situated in the Contracting State.

Do you have a patent whose claims have been determined to be patentable by China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) as the Office of Earlier Examination (OEE)?

Strategic patent protection require adherence to the prescribed time limit for Entering National Phase. In Tanzania, Time Limits for Entering National phase under PCT Chapters 1 (Article 22) is 21 months from the priority date and Chapter II (Article 39(1) is 31 months from the priority date.

The media, entertainment, and sports industry is a global industry that includes film, television, radio, print, sports, music, and performing arts. It's a multi-billion dollar industry that's driven by creativity, innovation, and consumer demand, it faces distinct challenges particularly in the age of digital transformation. As the country continues to grow economically and culturally, these sectors are likely to evolve, contributing to Tanzania's broader socio-economic development.

A contract is an agreement between two or more parties that creates legally binding obligations. From rental agreements to employment contracts and online terms of service, these documents outline the obligations and rights of the parties involved. However, what happens when one party fails to meet their obligations? This is where the concept of "litigating virtues" refer to its clarity, precision, and enforceability of a contract.

According to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations, 2018 (Regulations) "mining activities" means any activity engaged in within and outside Tanzania related to the exploration for, development and production of minerals,

Executor or administrator can administer deceased estate. Deceased estate is administered by executor when the owner died testate and appointed an executor through the deceased will.

The Zanzibar Industrial Journal is the Official Journal of industrial property for the Zanzibar Industrial Property Office. It is published in English, on the 1st of every month by the Registrar of Industrial Property Office. The journal incorporates the Patent, Marks, Utility models, Design, and Geographical Indications.

It is a mandatory requirement for Patents, utility mode, trade and service marks to be published in the Industrial Property Journal. The Tanzania Industrial Property Journal is the Official Journal of Patents, Trade and Service Marks for Tanzania Mainland. This Journal is issued every month by the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA).

The Bank of Tanzania hereby announced to the general Public on withdraw of old Tanzanian Shillings banknotes from currency circulation, effective on 26th October, 2024. The banknotes subjected to withdraw includes currency denominations of twenty shillings

As in other cadres, the law has established a good procedure for resolving disputes between companies providing services in the maritime transport sector.

It is prohibited to engage in financial leasing operation without having a license issued by the Bank of Tanzania. A person is said to engage in financial leasing operation if is involving in provision of financial leasing. Financial Leasing refer to a lease or leasing agreement entered into pursuant to a transaction in which

In the field of financial business, refinancing is not a new terminology. In the common sense, the word refinancing means replacing your existing mortgage with a new mortgage that has more favorable terms.

Bank of Tanzania (the Bank) is mandated to license, regulate and supervise bureau de changes. The Bank may authorise the establishment of bureau de change for the purposes of carrying on the business of buying and selling foreign currency. It is prohibited to engage in bureau de change business without a valid license issued by the Bank.

A Tanzanian citizen has the right to marry in any country he finds a suitable partner to marry. However, if this marriage takes place outside Tanzania, the bridegroom must satisfy themselves the followings: -

The company is a living legal entity like a natural person. Natural person can die from various causes such as diseases and accidents. A company cannot die like an ordinary human being due to diseases or accidents. Winding up of a company is a process that aims to end the life of the company. In simple language winding-up is the death-knell of a company. The net assets of a company (if any) will be distributed among the members as the successors.

The United Republic of Tanzania is a result of joint union of two Countries Tanganyika and Zanzibar. These two countries united in 1964 whereby through the Union charter they agreed on issues of union matter and issues not of Union matters, as it is well stipulated in the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania under article 4 (3). Intellectual Property forum is not a subject of union matter it operates as a different legal jurisdiction.

TIC Certificate of Incentives is a certificate issued to the investor by the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) which provides tax exemptions, concessional tax rates or any benefits that may be available to the investor under any law for the time being in force.

In February, 2020 the parliament passed the written laws [miscellaneous amendments] act to include all the suits by or against public corporations, parastatal organization, executive agencies and local government authorities in the list of government suits. Prior to the amendments suits by or against the public corporations and parastatal organization were not treated like government suit and such entities were not bound by the government proceeding act.

Unlike other countries, in Tanzania, the company must have a secretary. For example, in Kenya, a private company must have a secretary only if it has a paid-up capital of five million shillings or more. Anything else required or authorized to be done by the company's secretary may be done by a director or a person authorized generally or specifically for that purpose by the directors.

Corporate veil, is a legal concept which distinct the identity of the company from its members that is the shareholders and directors. Corporate veil shields members from the liabilities arising out of the company, the veil or curtain act as a protection to the members in regards to the company’s liability.

Tanzania is one of the African countries that receive and allow foreign investors in large numbers. According to Tanzania Investment Report 2022, Tanzania recorded a growth of 26.1 percent in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow attributable to continued Government policies of improving the investment climate to attract more FDI inflows.

When two parties have entered into a contractual agreement, it is expected that each party will fulfill its contractual obligations. Termination of contract means the end contractual relationship between parties to the contract. This can occur due to various grounds and reasons. The contract laws in Tanzania recognize various circumstances that may lead to the termination of a contract.

The system of doing business in Tanzania has been legally simplified. You can do business as a sole proprietor, partnership or through a company. If you decide to work as a sole proprietor or partnership, you are advised to register your business name with a Registrar of business name. The advantage is that you will protect your name from being used by others

In Tanzania it is a mandatory requirement for some documents to be registered by a registrar of documents. Some of those documents include non-testamentary documents which acknowledge the receipt or payment of any consideration on account of the creation declaration, assignment, limitation, or extinction of any such right, title, or interest; non-testamentary documents which acknowledge the receipt or payment of any consideration on account of the creation, declaration, assignment, limitation, or extinction of any such right, title, or interest.

In our daily activities we are given responsibilities through our professions, contracts we enter, laws and many other sources. It is everyone's obligation to fulfill their responsibilities to the required standards so as to avoid causing injury or damage to others. Failure to meet or perform at substandard amount to breach of legal duty hence civil wrong called negligence.

Counterfeiting of products, this is an unauthorized manufacturing, producing, packaging, repackaging, labelling or, making whether in Tanzania or elsewhere of goods imitating other protected goods or subject matter of intellectual property to a manner that is very similar or identical to the protected products.

Upon filing a trademark application, formality examination will be conducted and application number will be accorded if the application meets the prescribed requirements. If not, the application will be returned to the applicant for compliance. The returned application will be allotted application number only when the applicant complies.

Tanzania follows the English common law legal system. Laws have established a good mechanism for Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments and Awards relating civil and commercial matters. Any judgement of a superior court of a foreign countries giving reciprocal treatment or order given or made by a court in any civil proceedings, or a judgement or order given or made by a court in any criminal proceedings, for the payment of a sum of money in respect of compensation or damages to an injured party are enforceable in Tanzania.

The High Court of the United Republic of Tanzania on 30/05/2022 derived its judgment on a Commercial Case No. 132 of 2018 between Kenafric Industries Limited vs. Lakairo Industries Group Co. Ltd & 3 others. In the case, the court has discussed and emphasized on two key principle of trademark protection in Tanzania

A Tanzanian has the right to marry or be married within or outside Tanzania irrespective of nationality of fiancé. A marriage may be contracted in the presence of the registrar in an Embassy, High Commission or consulate of the United Republic. However before getting married through the Embassy, High Commission or consulate it is necessary to satisfy yourself that your country has notified the Government of the United Republic that it does not disapprove of the contracting of marriages at the Embassy, High Commission or consulate of the United Republic in that country.

Introduction

Compulsory License as Opposed to the Rights of Patent owner can be traced from the wholly meaning of a Patent and Compulsory License. A Patent is a legal right of exclusion given to an inventor for an invention, i.e. product or a process that generally provides a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem.

To date, no regulation has been enacted to facilitate customs recordal of intellectual property rights (such as trade/service marks, patents, industrial designs, copyrights and related rights) despite having a law that restricts the use of marks and trade description in relation to merchandise (The Merchandise Marks Act of 1963).

With its breadth and importance, Distinctiveness is the mother pillar of a trademark. The uniqueness of any trademark or service begins to be measured using this pillar. This means that there is no time especially in this world of commercial competition that you can talk about the strong brand without looking at Distinctiveness.

The procedure for incorporating and running a company in Zanzibar is legally set. The law provides criteria and basic requirements that must be followed by everyone who wants to start a company.

Pharmaceutical" and ''pharmaceutical product'' means any drug, substance or other article manufactured or prepared in any way and intended for use by man as a medicine or as a remedy used for the purposes of medical, dental or veterinary treatment.

The laws and regulations guiding registration of Intellectual Property rights require the owner of the intellectual property to state his personal information.

This Articles shows the relationship between intellectual property (IP) and conveyance content, primarily focusing on the implications of IP laws on the creation, distribution, and consumption of digital content.

Individual accountability simply means being accountable and accepting responsibility for your action in the course of performance.

We have often writing IP articles to show the basic things that need to be done to register a trademark and how to protect those trademarks once they are registered.

The Industrial Property Offices responsible with trademarks is Directorate of Industrial Property, Secretariat for industry and small and medium enterprises (IPMEA); Ministry of Industry and SMEs.

When you talk about domain name you mean a unique name that identifies internet resources such as websites that is registered as second level and/or third level domain under .tz ccTLD. Second Level Domain Name" or "SLD" means domain name after the .tz top level domain.

With its breadth and importance, Distinctiveness is the mother pillar of a trademark. The uniqueness of any trademark or service begins to be measured using this pillar.

Registration of trademarks through the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is expanding. Currently you can protect your trademark in Africa through ARIPO for 13 countries which are Botswana, Cape Verde, Kingdom of Eswatini, The Gambia, Kingdom of Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) is mandated to register marks and the administration of such registered marks on behalf of the Banjul Protocol Contracting States in accordance with the provisions of the Banjul Protocol on Marks.

Registration of personal names as a trademark has existed for many years. There are countries that allow registration of personal names as a trademark and there are countries that prohibit it. The question is why do countries ban the registration of personal names as Trademark.