The time limit for entering the national phase of a PCT application in Bahrain is 30 months from the priority date, and this deadline cannot be extended.
Filing requirements in Bahrain
The official language for a PCT national phase entry is Arabic or English. A verified translation into Arabic or English of the description, claims, and text matter of drawings is necessary for entry into the national phase. The English translation must be submitted at the time of entry, and the authorized Arabic translation may be provided within 4 months after the national phase entry. A copy of the Priority Document is not required.
Authorization of an agent or Power of Attorney must be filed within 3 months from the date of receiving the invitation by the Office, if not already submitted.
Examination of a PCT national phase patent application in Bahrain involves both formal and substantive examinations. The fee for conducting the substantive examination should be paid upon receiving the corresponding notification from the Bahraini Patent Office.
The novelty grace period in Bahrain is 12 months before the international filing date, provided the invention was disclosed by the applicant or with their permission. Disclosures at official or officially recognized international exhibitions are also disregarded. Details of such disclosures should be presented to the Office at the time of filing.
Patents in Bahrain are valid for twenty years from the date of priority. Annual maintenance fees are payable every year on the anniversary of the international filing date and become due after the grant. Late payment is possible within a grace period of six months, subject to a surcharge. Annuities are due in the second year.
Utility model protection is possible under the current IP legislation in Bahrain. Utility model patents are granted based on formal and substantive examinations, and the protection period is 10 years from the date of filing.
For foreign applicants, it is necessary to perform the PCT national phase entry in Bahrain through an agent, a registered Bahraini patent attorney.
If the prosecution process proceeds smoothly, the average processing time for a PCT national phase patent application in Bahrain is 4 years from the Bahraini filing date.
You can find a list of Bahrain IP firms here.