In Zanzibar designing protection  is obtained through registration with either the UK Patent Office or the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and  has its own filing requirements, making it important for design owners to ensure appropriate and timely filings for their designs. Registration requires that the design be new and have “individual character, also original designer or an assignee of the designer’s rights can file for registration.

Under ARIPO Protocol, the duration of protection is ten (10) years from the date of filing, design protection is renewable for further periods and the maximum duration of protection may be 25 years from the date of application. The rights and privileges of proprietors of designs registered in the United Kingdom are extended to Zanzibar during the term of design registration