bahrain

TRIPS Agreement/ WTO (effective since January 1, 1995)
WIPO convention (effective since June 22, 1995)
Berne Convention (effective since March 2, 1997)
Paris Convention (effective since October 29, 1997)
Nice Agreement (effective since December 15, 2005)
Madrid Protocol (effective since December 15, 2005)
Patent Law Treaty (effective since December 15, 2005)
WIPO Copyright Treaty (effective since December 15, 2005)
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (effective since December 15, 2005)
Rome Convention (effective since January 18, 2006)
Trademark Law Treaty (effective since March 18, 2007)
Patent Cooperation Treaty (effective since March 18, 2007)
Brussels Convention (effective since May 1, 2007)
Budapest Treaty (effective since November 20, 2012)

Trademarks Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council States (Gulf Cooperation Council)

Creation of rights:	First-to-file jurisdiction (subject to occasional exceptions)
Basis for filing:	Intent to use acceptable – prior use is not a prerequisite.
Well-known marks:	Special protection may be available. Nevertheless, local registration of the mark is highly recommended.
Types of marks:	Trademarks, Service Marks, Certification Marks, Collective Marks; Quality Control Marks.
Priority:	6-month priority claim under the Paris Convention.
Madrid System:	Available – Bahrain is a member of the Madrid Union.
Filing system:	Single class (multiple class filing is not available)
Classification:	Nice Classification 11th edition.
Who can be Applicant:	(1) Individuals; (2) Corporate entities; (3) Joint application
Examination:	On formal, absolute and relative grounds.
Publication:	In the Trademark Journal – which is an online publication.
Opposition period:	60 days from the date of publication.
Duration of registration:	10 years from the filing date – renewable for further periods of 10 years each upon request of the trademark owner within one year preceding the expiry date.
Renewal grace period:	6 months, subjected to late renewal penalty fee.
Use requirement:	A trademark registration becomes vulnerable to cancellation upon the request of an interested party in case of non-use of the mark for a period of 5 consecutive years.
Registration timeframe:	8 to 10 months (approximately)

Official Search:	Available for i) word marks; and ii) device marks.
Scope of search:	Includes all applied-for and registered marks, whether national marks or international marks in Bahrain under the Madrid System.
Turnaround time:	5 working days.

Filing of national application with or without priority claim under the Paris Convention.
Applications under the Madrid System.

Filing Requirements

Power of Attorney from the applicant, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
A certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation, if the applicant is a corporate entity. The document will be required to be duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
A certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed.

Power of attorney from the trademark owner, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
A simple copy of certificate of registration of the mark.

Power of attorney stating the new name/ address of the trademark owner, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
Change of Name / Address document, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.

Power of attorney from the Assignee, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
Deed of Assignment, duly signed by both the assignor and the assignee, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.

Power of attorney from the surviving entity, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
Merger document, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.

Powers of attorney from the Licensor and the Licensee, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.
License agreement, duly signed by both the parties, duly Apostilled or legalized up to the Bahraini Consulate.