A design right protects the distinct appearance of a product, by providing a monopoly over the design of the product. Conception of a design requires investment of considerable amount of time and capital and plays an important role in the sales of the product by shaping a buyer’s preference for that article.

In Tanzania, design owners have no protection under domestic laws because the regulations implementing the Act providing for the independent registration of designs are still pending. Since Tanzania is a member of African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), design protection obtained through filing an application with ARIPO and make Tanzania to be one of the designated states or to register an industrial design and benefit from protection in Tanzania.

IP Attorneys at Alin Law Care provides professional advice to clients regarding preparation and filing of design applications for registration and renewal. At the same time, we advise design owner seeking cancellation of a design registration on how to initiate cancellation proceedings with ARIPO.