Tanzania Suspended From ARIPO Trademark System

DAR ES SALAAM - The Court of Appeal of Tanzania has ruled that Tanzania has not domesticated the Banjul Protocol (the Protocol), and therefore, trademarks registered through ARIPO’s Banjul system have no legal effect under Tanzanian law. As a result, brand owners must seek direct national registration to protect their marks.

This ruling has practical implications for ongoing cases and enforcement actions. Any disputes, cancellation actions, or anti-counterfeiting efforts that solely rely on ARIPO registrations will fail, as these marks will not be enforceable in Tanzania. This means that current ARIPO registrations that cover Tanzania are effectively unenforceable, and brand owners must pursue direct national registrations to ensure protection.

For further information or inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at africa@agip.com