PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Bahrain

The Director General of WIPO welcomed Bahrain’s decision to join the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) when it deposited its instrument of accession on December 18, 2006. As a result, the PCT officially came into effect in Bahrain on March 18, 2007, allowing Bahraini applicants to use the international patent system for filing patent applications. It is important to mention that Decree No. 44 of 2005, published in the Official Gazette No. 2722 on January 18, 2006, approved Bahrain’s decision to join the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The decree also instructed the relevant Bahraini authorities to formally deposit the instrument of accession to the PCT, in accordance with the Treaty’s requirements. Bahrain is a proud member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Patent Office, a powerful regional hub that serves the entire GCC region, including the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar, and State of Kuwait. A patent granted by this prestigious office offers exceptional legal protection for the inventor’s rights, not just in Bahrain, but across all member states, providing a unified and expansive shield for intellectual property throughout one of the most dynamic regions in the world.

The deadline to enter the Bahraini national phase of a PCT application is 30 months from the priority date. 

In Bahrain, the official languages for a PCT national phase entry are Arabic and English. To enter the national phase, it is must to provide a verified translation of the description, claims, and text of the drawings in either Arabic or English. The English translation should be submitted when entering the national phase, while the authorized Arabic translation can be provided within 4 months after the entry.

The 30-month deadline for entering the national phase in Bahrain is firm and cannot be extended. It is important to adhere to this deadline.

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application in Bahrain includes:

• Power of Attorney: The original Power of Attorney must be notarized and legalized can be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.
• Deed of Assignment: If the applicant is not the inventor, a signed copy of the Deed of Assignment between the applicant and the inventor duly notarized and legalized must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.
• Certified Priority Document: A certified copy of the priority document (if claimed), translated into English and Arabic must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date.

At present, there are no designated cost exemptions available for filing patent applications in Bahrain. Applicants are required to pay the applicable fees as part of the standard filing process.

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

Bahrain has officially joined the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), marking a key development in advancing innovation and optimizing the patent examination process.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding between the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), the China-Bahrain PPH pilot program officially began on May 1, 2024, and will run for a period of five years, concluding on April 30, 2029.

This pilot program allows applicants who have received a favorable ruling on patent claims from either the MOIC or CNIPA to request accelerated processing of corresponding claims in the other office during the examination phase. By doing so, both offices can benefit from the work already performed by the other, streamlining the overall patent prosecution process.

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.

Under the law, a patent enjoys an impressive 20-year validity period, starting from the International Filing Date, offering two full decades of exclusive rights and protection for the innovation. This extended timeframe ensures that the patent holder can fully capitalize on their invention, securing a significant competitive advantage.

Bahrain is ranked 72nd among the 133 economies listed in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024. The GII evaluates countries based on their innovation capabilities and performance, considering factors such as research and development, infrastructure, business sophistication, and knowledge and technology outputs. Bahrain’s ranking highlights its continued commitment to developing a strong innovation ecosystem, improving intellectual property protections, and investing in advanced technologies, positioning itself as an emerging leader in the global innovation arena.

Bahrain is rapidly establishing its global presence as the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world. It boasts the freest economy in the Middle East, with a strong focus on diversification. Thanks to the surge in oil demand, Bahrain’s banking and financial sectors, particularly Islamic banking, have flourished. Petroleum production and processing are the country’s most significant exports, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. Aluminum production ranks as the second-largest export, followed closely by finance and construction materials.

Bahrain’s world-class communication and transport infrastructure further enhance its status as a hub for multinational firms, with several major industrial projects underway. Additionally, Bahrain's strategic shift in the geopolitical and economic landscape has been marked by its entry into a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. This agreement has led to the reduction of trade barriers, fostering even greater economic growth and opportunities for the nation.