• Patent fees

Fees associated with the Bahraini PCT national phase entry as well as other patent fees are available in the fee calculator.

• Deadline for PCT national phase entry in Bahrain

The time limit for entering the Bahraini national phase of a PCT application is 30 months from the date of priority. This deadline is non-extendable.

• Filing requirements in Bahrain

In Bahrain, the official language of a PCT national phase entry is Arabic or English.

To enter the PCT national phase in Bahrain, it is necessary to provide a verified translation into Arabic or English of the description, claims and text matter of drawings. The translation into English must be filed on entering the PCT national phase and the authorised Arabic translation may be submitted within 4 months after the national phase entry.

A copy of the Priority Document is not required by the Office.

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 PCT national phase patent application in Bahrain

Patent applications in Bahrain undergo formal and substantive examinations. Fee for conducting the substantive examination should be paid upon receipt of the corresponding notification from the Bahraini Patent Office.

• Novelty grace period

In Bahrain, the novelty grace period constitutes 12 months prior to the international filing date, 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 recognized 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

Patents in Bahrain are valid for twenty years from the date of priority. Annual fees for the maintenance of a Bahraini patent in force are payable every year on the anniversary of the international filing date and become due after grant. Late payment is possible within a grace period of six months 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 PCT national phase entry in Bahrain through an agent, a registered Bahraini patent attorney.

• Duration of the procedure

If the prosecution process goes smoothly, the average processing time of a PCT national phase patent application 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.