L I B Y A: Libyan Trademark Office has resumed the requirement for local attestation of all legalized documents by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
This means that any Power of Attorney (POA), Deed of Assignment, or other supporting document previously legalized abroad must now undergo local attestation in Libya before it can be accepted by the Trademark Office for filing, renewal, recordal, or related trademark actions.
The cost of local attestation varies depending on the country where the documents were originally legalized.
R U S S I A: The Government of the Russian Federation has announced amendments to the official trademark fee structure through Government Resolution No. 1459, published on 26 September 2025.
Under the new regulation, an additional official fee will apply to trademark applications and renewals that include more than 10 items of goods or services per class.
Starting from 4 October 2025, applicants will be required to pay 500 Russian Rubles (approximately USD 6.5) for each additional item listed beyond the 10-item threshold.
T A N Z A N I A: The Government of Tanzania has announced a mandatory trademark recordal system for all goods imported into mainland Tanzania, to take effect on 1 December 2025.
The new requirement will be administered by the (FCC) under the Merchandise Marks Act and its implementing regulations. It forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen enforcement against counterfeit goods and enhance intellectual property protection at the border. Under this system, all imported goods must be supported by a valid FCC trademark recordal before entry into the country. Recordals will be valid for one year from approval and must be renewed annually. Goods arriving without an approved recordal may be seized or denied customs clearance, as the authorities will presume unrecorded goods to be potentially counterfeit.
Key Steps for Brand Owners
To ensure compliance ahead of the December 2025 implementation date, trademark owners are advised to:
✓ Review their IP portfolio to identify trademarks associated with goods imported into mainland Tanzania.
✓ Confirm that the relevant trademarks are valid, registered, and renewed.
✓ Prepare the required documentation, including licensee information and high resolution product images showing the trademarks.
✓ Appoint a legal or administrative representative authorized to act before the FCC, noting that existing authorizations for the Tanzania Industrial Property Office (IPO) will not suffice for FCC proceedings.
It is important to note that this new regulation applies only to mainland Tanzania and does not extend to Zanzibar, which maintains its own independent IP laws and procedures.
For further updates and professional assistance with IP matters in Libya, Russia, and Tanzania, stay connected with our news or by contacting us at [email protected].