The Zanzibar Industrial Property Act of 2008 passed by the House of Representatives repealed the Patents Decree Cap. 157 of 1932. The Zanzibar Industrial Property Act of 2008 came into force on 13 September 2008 and is being applied despite the absence of Regulations, forms and fees. Also there are two type of patents available in Zanzibar; Patents of Invention and national Phase PCT Application.

The term of a patent is twenty years from the filing date. In the event that the patent is granted more than four years after the filing date, the term of protection of that patent may be extended by the Registrar so as to compensate for any period of time in excess of four years from the filing date if the patent holder applies., but for PCT and National patents renewal fees fall due annually commencing on the first anniversary of the filing date.