Introduction

Intellectual property is not merely an asset. It is authorship. It is ownership. And in a world where ideas move fast and imitation travels further, it must be protected with care. At Sacra Ignis & Co., our Intellectual Property & Brand Protection Desk supports clients who create, design, build, and publish. We offer legal guidance across trademark registration, copyright management, brand enforcement, and contractual protection—locally in Tanzania and across the ARIPO and COMESA regions. We are regularly consulted by startups, creators, non-profits, and businesses seeking to secure their intangible assets, manage rights across borders, or enforce their position when infringed.

Areas of Legal Support

We provide advisory and documentation services across a full spectrum of intellectual property matters:

▪️ Trademark Registration

Name and logo clearance, application, and publication in Tanzania

Regional filing under the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)

Trademark renewal and record maintenance

▪️ Copyright Advisory

Protection of literary, artistic, musical, and software works

Advisory on authorship, licensing, and derivative rights

Documentation of copyright ownership and assignment

▪️ IP Licensing & Assignments

Legal structuring of licensing agreements, royalties, and assignments

Contractual frameworks for co-ownership, joint development, or sublicensing

Drafting of clauses protecting moral and economic rights

▪️ Infringement & Enforcement Advisory

Legal response to brand misuse, plagiarism, or copyright violation

Advisory on cease-and-desist procedures and preliminary remedies

Liaison with enforcement authorities or rights agencies where necessary

▪️ IP Due Diligence

Audits for brand portfolios, content rights, or innovation protection

Transactional review of IP in M&A, investment, or franchise settings

Risk assessment for brand acquisition and commercial partnerships

▪️ Trade Secrets & Confidentiality Protection

Drafting and vetting of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

Internal policies for IP handling and sensitive data governance

Legal support in trade secret misappropriation claims

▪️ Patent & Industrial Design Referral

Coordinated legal support with ARIPO-certified patent agents and engineers

Oversight of invention disclosures and technical submissions

Legal review of design protection documentation

Our Approach

We treat intellectual property as a matter of legal structure and stewardship. Every name filed, every clause reviewed, and every contract negotiated is grounded in:

Tanzanian law (The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, The Trade and Service Marks Act)

Regional frameworks under ARIPO, COMESA, and WIPO

Industry-specific context—whether digital platforms, creative portfolios, or innovation-driven businesses

Our desk is defined by precision, confidentiality, and cross-sector awareness.

Who We Work With

Entrepreneurs seeking to secure names, logos, and product marks

Technology companies safeguarding software, codebases, or apps

Non-profit organisations producing original visual or written material

Creatives (authors, photographers, designers, musicians)

Diaspora entrepreneurs building cross-border brands

Investors requiring IP clarity in due diligence

Foreign law firms seeking Tanzanian counsel in IP matters

We engage as both legal guides and compliance anchors—whether you are launching a brand, preparing a license, or asserting your legal rights.

Our Advisory Is Grounded In

The Trade and Service Marks Act, Cap. 326

The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, Cap. 218

The Patents Act, Cap. 217

The ARIPO Protocols on Marks and Industrial Designs

Relevant enforcement procedures under Tanzanian and regional law

Institutional practice with BRELA, COSOTA, and ARIPO

Illustrative Work

Structuring of a trademark portfolio for a Pan-African consumer brand

Copyright protection for a multi-author educational publication

Drafting NDAs and licensing contracts for a regional SaaS company

Legal enforcement strategy against unauthorized brand use on digital platforms

IP review and advisory in an equity acquisition involving content-driven assets