IP/Legal Practice In Bahrain

With the fastest growing economy in the Arab World, Bahrain is making its global presence in the world. It has the freest economy in the Middle East and as per reports in Index of Economic Freedom published by The Wall Street Journal ranked Bahrain as the 12th freest economy in the world.

In the last decade, City of London’s global Financial Centres Index ranked Bahrain as the world’s fastest growing financial centre. With the boom in demand of oil, Bahrain’s banking and financial sector has been greatly benefitted from the same with more impetus on the Islamic Banking. Petroleum production and processing is Bahrain’s most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. Aluminium production is the second-most exported product, followed by finance and construction materials.

Moreover, the communication and transport facilities being one of the best in the world, Bahrain is home to number of multinational firms and construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Also, with the major influx and shift in the geopolitical economic condition, Bahrain entered into the US as a part of Free Trade Agreement reducing certain trade barriers thereby giving more room to the economy.

Patentability

Like that in other countries, Invention in Bahrain will be capable of protection if it involves novelty, inventive steps, and is industrially capable. The pre-condition to the protection of invention in Bahrain, as stated, remains same as in the other countries. Moreover, those inventions, which are contrary to morals or public order, scientific theories, mathematical methods, plants and animals, and methods of treatment will not be granted protection as per the local laws.

Filing for Registration

For the purpose of registration, an inventor can enter Bahrain from three ways. First, entry through a national filing at the Bahrain Industrial Property Office, if appropriate claiming priority under the Paris Convention from an earlier application. The process remains the same as that of entry in different other countries. Secondly commonly used process is that of a national phase entry following an international filing via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Thirdly, the entry via the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Patent Office as a GCC Patent.  The GCC Patent Law, which was approved in 1992, was implemented in Bahrain by way of Law No. 6 of 2014 meaning that patents granted by the GCC Patent Office are applicable in Bahrain.

For taking the route of GCC, there is no requirement of designating member states of interest (either at the time of filing or at the time of grant) or validating a granted patent in the member states of interest. Interestingly, despite not being the signatory of Paris Convention, the applicant may claim priority to an earlier filed application.

Requirements for Filing

The patent filed in the Bahrain must be in Arabic. In case, the patent is not in Arabic, then a translation is required which is certified locally in Bahrain. The important documents required for filing the same are

  • the applicant’s and inventor’s details;
  • the specification (title of the invention, claims, abstract);
  • drawings (if any);
  • a copy of the priority document;
  • a copy of the signed power of attorney;
  • payment of the filing fee.

A simply signed power of attorney can be filed at the time of filing. Nevertheless, Within 90 days after the filing date, further supporting documents must be filed:

  • the notarised and legalised copy of the Power of Attorney;
  • a copy of the applicant's Certificate of Incorporation or an extract from the commercial register, legalised up to the Bahraini Embassy;
  • a notarised and legalised Deed of Assignment; and
  • A certified copy of the priority document (if claimed), translated into English and Arabic.
Official Fees (in Bahraini Dinar)
Services For Companies For Individuals
Application Submission & Formality Examination 540 270
Substantive Examination through Bahrain national office 560 280
Substantive Examination through other offices As per the Actual Cost As per the Actual Cost
Patent Grant and Publication 320 160
Annuity 2nd Year 200 100
Annuity 3rd Year 220 110
Annuity 4th Year 260 130
Annuity 5th Year 300 150
Annuity 6th Year 360 180
Annuity 7th Year 480 240
Annuity 8th Year 520 260
Annuity 9th Year 560 280
Annuity 10th Year 600 300
Annuity 11th Year 699 350
Annuity 12th Year 720 360
Annuity 13th Year 760 380
Annuity 14th Year 800 400
Annuity 15th Year 900 450
Annuity 16th Year 100 500