Patent registration in Bahrain – Any company that owns a patent and intends to expand its business in the Bahrain market as well as create lasting value and find investors for its patent or patent licensing should use Bahrain’s patent system in the future. It is paramount for businesses to file a patent application in Bahrain for inventions, even if the launch of the respective product on the Bahrain market has not yet commenced.
Deadline for filing a patent application in Bahrain
The deadline for filing a priority patent application with the Bahrain Intellectual Property Office is 12 months from the priority date.
The official language of patents in Bahrain is Arabic. Submitting an application in English and providing an authorized translation into Arabic within 4 months is possible.
The following information and documents must be provided in the patent application to the Bahrain Patent Office:
- the name and address of the patent applicant;
- patent claims;
- specification (patent name, statement, abstract);
- drawings (if any);
- copies of priority documents;
- signed copy of power of attorney;
- Patent description;
- application fee.
If priority is requested, a certified copy of the priority document must be submitted within 3 months of the filing date along with an authorized Arabic translation.
The original text of the Power of Attorney must be legalized for any Arab Consulate. This document can be submitted within 3 months from the date of application.
Examination of patent applications in Bahrain
Patent applications in Bahrain will be subject to a formal and substantive examination. Substantive due diligence must be required upon completion of the formality examination.
Patent validity and renewal
Patents in Bahrain are valid for twenty years from the filing date in Bahrain or the priority date. The annual renewal fee for the first year must be paid upon patenting. All annual renewal fees for subsequent years must be paid prior to the annual filing date. Late payment is possible after a 6-month grace period with a corresponding surcharge.
In Bahrain, the renewal period for novelty is 12 months prior to the filing or priority date, as long as the invention is disclosed or authorized by the applicant. In addition, the disclosure will be ignored, if it occurs at an official or officially recognized international exhibition. Details of such disclosure must be presented to the Office at the time of application.
Represented by a patent attorney
International applicants must conduct a patent search in Bahrain through a law firm, or an experienced patent attorney.