Failure to renew trademark

I own a brand name in Tanzania since 2018 and came across a BRELA publication few months ago that my brand will be removed from the register after the lapse of one month if I do not renew it. It is now over a month and I believe I’ve lost my trademark. What can I do?

OM, Dar es Salaam

It is true that the Registrar has a mandate under the trademark regulations to remove trademarks which have not been renewed. However, before the Registrar removes the trademark for non-renewal, she/he is required to give a one-month notice. Once a trademark is removed from the register, it means someone else may register such a trademark under their name. Nonetheless, there is a room for the owner of a mark which has been removed from the register to restore its mark depending on the reasons for its removal. This can be done by filling prescribed forms and pay fees for renewal and restoration of a mark. You will need to conduct a search before your lawyer can guide you what to do.