Alkalthami | Patent (BAHRAIN)

+966 11 464 9264
ipgcc@alkalthamilaw.com

GOVERNING LAWS:

First regulation in the Industrial property was issued in 1955 for patents, design & trade marks through Bahrain Industrial Property Office, which is considered as one of the oldest IP offices in the Gulf.

Currently, the Patents (Inventions) and Utility Models are protected in Bahrain as per the Patent and Utility Models Law No. 1 of 2004 and subsequent amendment of certain provisions under the Law No. 14 of 2006.

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT):

Bahrain became the 136 th contracting state of the PCT when it deposited its instrument of accession at WIPO on December 18, 2006. The Treaty came into force on March 18, 2007.

Accordingly, any international application filed on or after March 18, 2007, designated Bahrain (BH) can enter into National Phase in Bahrain.

BAHRAIN.

GOVERNING BODY:

In Bahrain, patents are governed by Industrial Property Directorate under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

The important policy of the Industrial Property Directorate of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism is to continually develop, and trace the international changes relating to IP. Based on that vision, IPD (Industrial Property Directorate) has a mission to implement it into reality, which is, to keep the commerce environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain healthy for innovation for the dealers and customers.

FILING OPTIONS:

There are three ways in which a patent can be protected in Bahrain:

1. National Filing at the Bahrain Industrial Property Office, within 12 months claiming the priority of first application (Paris Convention).
2. National Phase Entry of PCT aapplication, within 30 months from the priority date.
3. Through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Patent Office as a GCC Patent, within 12 months from the priority date.

Certificates of Patents granted by the GCC Patent Office secure legal protection of the inventor's rights in all the member states, namely, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.

OTHER INFO:

PCT National Phase: Acceptable within 30 months from date of initial filing.
Priority Term: Within 12 months from the priority filing date.
Protection period: 20 years from the date of filing the application or from International filing date for the National Phase entry of PCT applications.
Annual fees: Payable after grant of the Patent.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

At the Time of Filing:

1. A copy of the specification in English and Arabic in MS word format including the Abstract, claims and drawings (if any).
2. Simply signed POA from the applicant(s).
3. General Information Required:
    i. Name and address of the applicant(s).
    ii. Name and address of the inventor(s).
    iii. Details of the Priority Application(s).
          Filing date.
          Application number.
          Country of filing.

To be submitted within 90 Days of Filing:

1. A Power of Attorney executed by the applicant(s), duly notarized and legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate or authenticated by the Apostille.
2. Deed of Assignment (if applicable) executed by the inventor(s), assigning the patent rights to the applicant, duly notarized and legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate or authenticated by the Apostille.
3. An extract from the Commercial Register or from the Memorandum of Association, if the applicant is a company, duly legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate or authenticated by the Apostille. For Individual applicant, passport copy of the applicant is required.
4. A certified copy of the priority document(s) along with Arabic translation of the same. If the document(s) are not in English, a simple English translation of the same is also required.