• Patent fees

Fees associated with filing patent applications in Bahrain, as well as other patent fees, are available in the fee calculator.

• Term for filing a patent application in Bahrain

In Bahrain, the term for filing a patent application claiming conventional priority is 12 months from the priority date. The restoration of this term is not possible under the current legislation.

• Filing requirements in Bahrain

The official language of patent prosecution in Bahrain is Arabic. It is possible to file an application in English and to furnish the authorised translation into Arabic within 4 months.

To obtain the date of filing, a patent application in Bahrain should contain:
- 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.

If priority is claimed, a certified copy of the Priority Document must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date alongside the authorised Arabic translation thereof.

The original Power of Attorney must be legalized or apostilled and may be filed within 3 months from the filing date.

In case the applicant is not the inventor, a simply signed copy of the Deed of Assignment between the applicant and the inventor must be filed within 3 months from the filing date. No legalization is required.

• Examination of a Bahraini patent application

Patent applications in Bahrain undergo formal and substantive examinations. The substantive examination should be requested after the successful completion of the formal examination.

• Novelty grace period

In Bahrain, the novelty grace period constitutes 12 months prior to the filing date or the date of priority, provided that the invention was disclosed by the applicant or with his permission. In addition, the disclosure will be disregarded, if it occurred at the official or officially recognised international exhibition. The details of such a disclosure should be presented to the Office at the time of filing an application.

• Grant, validity term and maintenance fees

The official fee for grant is included in the publication fee. Patents in Bahrain are valid for twenty years from the filing date in Bahrain or of the date of priority. Annual fees for the maintenance of a Bahraini patent in force are payable every year on the anniversary of the filing date and become due after grant. Late payment is possible within a six-month grace period which is subject to the payment of a surcharge. Annuities are due from the second year.

• Utility Model

It is possible to obtain utility model protection under the current IP legislation in Bahrain. Patents for utility models are granted based on the results of formal and substantive examinations. The protection period for a utility model patent is 10 years from the date of filing.

• Representation by a patent attorney

For foreign applicants, it is necessary to perform patent prosecution in Bahrain through an agent, a registered Bahraini patent attorney.

• Duration of registration procedure

If the prosecution process goes smoothly, the average processing time from first filing to grant of a patent is 4 years from the Bahraini filing date.

• Note

Online Database for Worldwide Patent Search.

Brief summary is based on the information provided by NJQ & Associates on 11.04.2024 
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Bahraini IP Laws.