Register innovations early for legal protection, Brela urges Tanzania creators

The Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (Brela) has urged local innovators and inventors to register their creations early to secure legal protection, gain exclusive rights, and prevent unauthorised exploitation. The call was made on Saturday, August 22, 2026, by Brela Registration Officer, Mr Benedickson Willson, during an interview with The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi at the National Education, Skills and Innovation Week exhibition, taking place at the Usagara Secondary School grounds in Tanga Region. Mr Willson said Brela’s participation in the event, running from August 15 to 24, 2026, aims to reach innovators, educate them on intellectual property rights, and provide direct access to business, trademark, and patent registration services. He emphasized that formal registration transforms creative ideas into valuable commercial assets, offering significant economic opportunities for individuals and the country. “People often view innovation casually, but it is a critical driver of national development and a key pillar toward achieving the National Development Vision 2050,” said Mr Willson. He noted that registering trademarks or service marks safeguards brands against counterfeits, preserving brand value and preventing financial losses caused by identity theft. Registered intellectual property can also be commercialized, licensed, or transferred through formal agreements to yield monetary returns. Innovators attending the exhibition welcomed the agency’s outreach. Ms Asha Mwakalukwa, noted that the sessions helped her realise that creating a product is only the first step. “I learned that operating without registration leaves my work exposed. This exhibition showed me the importance of completing registration early so my work is legally recognised and protected,” she said. Another visitor, Mr Juma Mbarouk, said direct engagement with Brela experts clarified how registration opens doors to commercial opportunities. “I now understand that registering an innovation isn't just an option, it is an essential step to secure it and build a viable business,” said Mr Mbarouk. Mr Willson highlighted that technological breakthroughs, including artificial intelligence tools designed to assist persons with disabilities, hold immense value when properly protected. He reaffirmed Brela’s commitment to using public exhibitions to educate creators and drive national development through protected innovation.