Trademarks in Bahrain

Competent Authority

Trademark registration in the Kingdom of Bahrain is administered by the Directorate of Industrial Property under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) located in Manama. The official working language of the office is Arabic, and the system is national.

International Agreements

Bahrain is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Bahrain is also a member of the Madrid Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks, allowing international applications to designate Bahrain.

Who May Apply

Natural persons and legal entities carrying out commercial, industrial, or service activities may apply. Foreign applicants without a local residence or principal place of business are required to act through a registered representative. A Power of Attorney (POA) executed by the applicant is required, which must be notarized and legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate or authenticated via Apostille.

Online Filing and Search

Applications and registry searches are processed through the administrative channels and digital services provided by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Registrable Sign Types

Trademarks may comprise distinctive signs such as words, names, signatures, letters, figures, drawings, symbols, or combinations of colors. Word marks or elements in non-Arabic scripts generally require an accurate Arabic translation or transliteration.

Classification

Bahrain follows the Nice Classification system. Multiple-class applications are not permitted in Bahrain; a separate application must be filed for each individual class of goods or services.

Examination

The Directorate conducts both formal and substantive examinations. Substantive examination covers absolute grounds for refusal (such as lack of distinctiveness or violation of public order) as well as relative grounds (checking for conflicting prior marks on the register).

Publication and Opposition

Once an application successfully passes examination, it is published. Any interested third party may file an opposition against the registration of the trademark within 60 days from the publication date. The applicant must submit a written reply to any filed opposition within 60 days of notification.

Timelines

An unopposed straightforward trademark application typically takes approximately 6 months from initial filing to registration certification, though complex prosecution or opposition proceedings can extend overall timelines.

Official Fees

Official fees are denominated in Bahraini Dinars (BD) and charged per class. Official fee schedules include:

• Standard base filing fee: 50 BD per class
• Official publication fee: 30 BD
• Trademark search fee: 20 BD per class

Protection Duration and Renewal

Trademark protection is valid for 10 years from the official filing date. Registrations can be renewed for successive 10-year periods. Renewal requests must be submitted during the final year of protection, with a grace period of 6 months available following expiration subject to late surcharges.

Use Requirements

A registered trademark is vulnerable to cancellation actions if it has not been genuinely used in Bahrain for a consecutive period of 5 years from registration. Bahrain primarily follows a first-to-file priority system, though prior users may bring cancellation actions under specific statutory provisions.

Post-Registration Procedures

Post-registration changes—including assignments, license agreements, changes of applicant name, or changes of address—must be formally recorded with the registry and published to be legally valid and enforceable against third parties. Recordals require executed documentation authenticated via Apostille or consular legalization.

Legal Remedies

Legal remedies include cancellation actions before specialized courts, civil infringement lawsuits, and border enforcement measures implemented by customs authorities to detain counterfeit goods. Well-known marks receive protections against unauthorized use that exploits or damages their reputation.

Country-Specific Risks and Practical Notes

Because multi-class applications are prohibited, applicants must budget and file individual applications for each separate class. Furthermore, strict compliance with Arabic translation requirements and local legalization formalities for powers of attorney are essential to avoid procedural delays.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or consultation. To receive personalized and in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation.