IP in Bahrain
Information to help you protect, manage and enforce your intellectual property (IP) rights in Bahrain.
This page provides practical information to help you make the most of your IP when doing business in Bahrain.
If you plan to do business in Bahrain, or if you are already trading there, it is essential to know how to manage and enforce your IP as private property rights.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) is the body responsible for operating the patent, industrial design, trade mark and copyright system in Bahrain.
British businesses seeking IP advice should contact our Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) attache, based in the British Embassy, Riyadh.
Trade marks
The Bahrain trade mark system is like the UK’s. Trade marks protect symbols, colours or other devices used to identify a business’ products or services. A trade mark is valid for 10 years, then may be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. Collective and certification marks can be protected.
If you are a resident or business based in Bahrain and would like to protect your trade mark, you can apply directly with MOCI, however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Bahrain is not a member of Madrid system for international trade mark protection.
Good to know
Bahrain recognises well-known trade marks.
Multiclass applications are not permitted, so a separate application must be made for each class of goods and services.
Patents
Like in the UK, patents for inventions can be protected for up to 20 years in Bahrain. All patent rights in Bahrain are subject to the payment of annual renewal fees, commencing 1 year after they’ve been filed.
If you are a resident or business based in Bahrain and would like to protect your innovation with a patent, you can apply directly with MOCI, however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Bahrain is a Contracting State of the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Good to know
Like the UK, Bahrain operates a ‘first to file’ principle. If more than one person applies for a patent on an identical invention, the first to file the application will be awarded the patent.
Designs
In Bahrain, design protection initially lasts for 10 years and can be extended for another five years.
If you are a resident or business based in Bahrain and would like to protect the appearance of your product with a design, you can apply directly with MOCI, however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Bahrain is not party to the international Hague system for search and registration of industrial designs, so it is not possible to file a design through this route.
Good to know
Multiple design applications are not permitted in Bahrain.
Registration is required for protection and enforcement purposes.
Copyright
The Bahrain copyright framework provides all the basic protections required by international law. Copyright owners do get automatic protection through Bahrain law.
Copyright in Bahrain protects works that are original and expressed in a tangible form, for example, recorded on tape or written down.
The length of protection lasts for 70 years counted from 1 January of the year following the author’s death.
To can register your copyright in Bahrain with the Ministry of Information Affairs however the process can be complex and challenging. It is recommended that you appoint a local legal representative to file on your behalf.
Enforcing your rights
IP rights are infringed when others make use of your IP rights in an unauthorised way. In case of infringement, you can enforce your IP rights through an action in the civil court or through criminal prosecution. Injunctions are civil remedies for infringement of IP. Injunctions are court orders to make an infringer stop the infringing act.
Issues with IP infringement can be dealt with directly with the alleged infringer, for example using mediation, “cease and desist letters” or through a licencing arrangement.
Good to know
There is no formal procedure of custom recordals in Bahrain. Administrative applications for enforcement can be filed with MOCI.
More information
Visit the Department for International Trade page for more information about exporting to Bahrain.
The Bahrain British Business Forum provide a variety of business advice, services, and support to businesses.