Bahrain Trademarks

Filing Requirements:

1. Power of attorney, legalized. A general power of attorney may be used for subsequent filings.

2. Copy of certificate of home or any foreign application or registration, legalized; or certificate of incorporation, legalized; or certificate from the chamber of commerce indicating the nature of business, legalized.

3. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.

4. 3 prints of the mark for each application.

* All the above documents must be submitted at the time of filing.

Classification:

The International Classification of Goods and Services (9th Edition) is followed. A separate application is required for each class.

Opposition:

Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Official Gazette. Oppositions may be filed within 60 days from publication date.

Extension Of Time:

Extension of time for oppositions is not possible. Extension of time for counter-oppositions or for responding to office actions is possible.

Protection Term:

Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of 6 months for late renewals with payment of a surcharge.

Documents Required For Renewal:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.

Use Requirements:

Use of a trademark is not required for registration or renewal of a mark. However, a trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of the mark for a period of 5 consecutive years from registration date.

Search:

An official search can be conducted for word marks, devices, and combination of both. The search takes 3 working days. A separate application is required for search in each class. The search report discloses similar and identical trademarks.

Assignment:

* Registered trademarks may be assigned with or without the goodwill of the business concerned.

* The assignment must be recorded within 3 months from effective date otherwise a surcharge is levied.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney from the assignee, legalized.
  • Deed of Assignment, signed by both parties, legalized.

Change Of Name/Address:

* A change of name/address can be recorded for trademark registrations only.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney in the new name or address, legalized.
  • Copy of Certificate of change of name/address or a letter from the owner of the trademark to this effect addressed to the Registrar.

Licensing:

* License recordal is not compulsory but advisable in order to be effective against third parties.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney from licensee, legalized.
  • Power of attorney from licensor, simply signed.
  • License agreement, legalized.

Merger:

* A merger may be recorded for trademark registrations only.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of merger, legalized.

Marking:

Marking is not compulsory.

Cancellation:

A trademark is subject to cancellation before the Court by any interested party within 5 years from registration date unless the mark was registered in bad faith, in which case, there is no time limit.

Registration Time Frame:

The approximate time frame for completing the registration process is 14 to 18 months.

Three Dimensional Trademark Applications:

Acceptable.