Bahrain Trademark Registration Process
OVERVIEW
Bahrain, a thriving economic hub in the Middle East, offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses looking to establish their brand presence. However, with growing competition, protecting intellectual property through trademark registration becomes crucial. Bahrain's strong intellectual property laws provide comprehensive protection to registered trademarks, ensuring brand security and exclusivity. It is important to note that non-Bahraini entities must appoint authorized trademark agents to handle the registration process within the Kingdom.
WHAT CAN BE REGISTERED AS A TRADEMARK IN BAHRAIN ?
In Bahrain, trademarks serve as unique identifiers that distinguish one entity’s products or services from another. The following elements can be registered as trademarks:
- Signs, symbols, or emblems
- Names, words, and letters
- Numbers and inscriptions
- Images and photographs
- Packaging, drawings, and figures
- Single or multiple colors or a combination there of These elements help establish brand identity and ensure market recognition.
WHAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED AS A TRADEMARK IN BAHRAIN ?
While Bahrain provides extensive trademark protection, certain marks are restricted from registration. The following categories are prohibited:
- Marks that lack distinctive character
- Symbols or signs contrary to public order or morality
- Flags of Bahrain, Arab nations, foreign countries, or international organizations
- Red Crescent or Red Cross emblems
- Marks identical to religious emblems or insignias
- Marks that mislead consumers about the origin of goods or services
These restrictions help maintain ethical business practices and prevent brand confusion.
FILING REQUIREMENTS IN BAHRAIN
Trademark applications in Bahrain must be submitted in Arabic. If an application is initially filed in English, an official Arabic translation must be provided within four months.To establish a filing date, applicants must submit the following details:
- Applicant’s full name, nationality, and address
- A list of goods and services under the trademark application
- A clear representation of the trademark
- A notarized Power of Attorney (PoA)
A certified copy of the Priority Document (if applicable), with an Arabic translation within three months
The original PoA, legalized through an Arab Consulate, must be submitted within three months from the filing dateTrademark applications claiming conventional priority in Bahrain must be filed within six months of the priority date.
01. INITIAL TRADEMARK SEARCH
At Mahtta & Co., we simplify the trademark registration process by conducting a preliminary search to assess the registrability of your proposed mark. This step helps identify potential conflicts, ensuring a smooth filing process.
02. PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
Once the pre-application search is complete, applicants can proceed with submitting their trademark application to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).To prepare an application, the following details are required:
To help us prepare your application, we’ll need to know:
- Name of the Mark/ Logo/ Device prints or Visual Representation - Name of the Applicant - Address and Nationality of the Applicant - Copy of Trade License - Power of Attorney - Passport Copy - Priority Document - List of Goods and Services to be protected
FEES
The cost to file an application in Kingdom of Bahrain depends on how many classes you would like to include in your application.
03. TRADEMARK FILING
Bahrain offers two registration processes: one for nationals and another for foreigners. Bahraini nationals can register their trademarks directly at the Trademark Office within the Industrial Property Directorate. Foreigners, on the other hand, must file their applications through intellectual property firms or trademark agents based in Bahrain.
04. TRADEMARK ONLINE FILING IN BAHRAIN
Bahrain has introduced an online portal for trademark registration, enabling citizens, residents, and trademark agents to apply for trademark registration. Additionally, the online portal facilitates opposition filing against trademark applications.
05. TRADEMARK FILING UNDER NICE CLASSIFICATION
Applicants must register their trademarks under the appropriate classes of goods and services according to the NICE Classification. Multi-class filing of trademarks is not permitted in Bahrain; therefore, applicants must file separate applications for each class.
06. EXAMINATION
Following the submission of the trademark registration application, the Trademark Office will conduct an examination. This review involves checking for existing registrations or applications for identical or similar trademarks by other parties. Additionally, the Trademark Office will ensure that the application fulfills all requirements stipulated by the Trademark Law. If any requirements are not met, the examining official will raise objections to the mark.
07. PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE
If all conditions are satisfied, the trademark will be approved for registration. Subsequently, the trademark will be published in the Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office. During the 60-day opposition period, any concerned party has the opportunity to raise objections to the trademark.
08. REGISTRATION OF THE MARK
If no objections are raised, the Industrial Property Directorate of Bahrain will issue a registration certificate.
Now that your trademark is registered, you can put registered mark symbol : Ⓡ
09. TRADEMARK VALIDITY
The validity period for trademark registration in Bahrain is 10 years from the date of application filing.
10. RENEWAL
Trademark owners have the option to renew their trademarks for consecutive 10-year periods. They can utilize a 6-month grace period for late renewals. Even if renewal is not completed within this grace period, third parties are still unable to apply for registration of the trademark. However, after a lapse of 3 years from the date of cancellation, they may apply for the trademark.