Trademark Registration in Bahrain

A trademark is a sign or another item used to distinguish the products, goods, or services of a company from those of another legal entity.  Local and foreign applicants are required to follow the same process for trademark registration in Bahrain, with an important distinction for foreigners who are not residents. A special process applies in their case, and our team of agents who specialize in company formation in Bahrain can provide assistance for this procedure. 

Quick Facts
Applicable law	Legislative Decree 11/2006
Special aspects to consider	Foreigners need a local agent as a trademark registration representative.
Types of trademarks	– letters, – numbers, – colors, – words, – any combination of them
Trademark categories	– generic, – descriptive, – 3-D marks
Option to register company name as a trademark (YES/NO)	Yes, companies have their names protected through trademark registration in Bahrain.
Possibility to register domain name as a trademark (YES/NO)	Yes, such a service is usually employed by online stores.
Online registration possibility (YES/NO)	Yes
Trademark registration steps in Bahrain	– application file preparation and filing, – trademark examination and publication, – trademark recognition
Trademark examination duration (approx.)	2-3 months
Total duration of trademark registration process (approx.)	Approx. 6 months
Registration authority	The Industrial Property Directorate
Validity of registered trademark	10 years
Renewal possibility (YES/NO)	Yes, for another 10 years
Renewal requirements	Yes, the renewal fee must be paid in the year prior to expiry.
Support in registering a trademark in Bahrain (YES/NO)	Yes, our lawyers in Bahrain can see you through this procedure.

Trademark registration steps in Bahrain

If you want to register a trademark in Bahrain, you need to go through the following steps:

• trademark verification, which is not mandatory, but a recommended procedure that can be completed by our lawyers in Bahrain;
• documents preparation and filing;
• examination and publication of the mark;
• certificate issuance.

The verification of the mark can be completed with our help, as our local agents can compare the sign you want to register with existing ones already recognized by the Trademark Office. If everything is in order, we can then go to the next stage, which is drafting the documents to file with the Registrar.

Where are trademark applications submitted?

An application for trademark registration is submitted to the Trademark Office of the Industrial Property Directorate in Bahrain, part of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism. Residents can apply directly to the Office; however, foreign applicants who are not Bahraini residents are required to request the services of an authorized firm. 

Our team of agents who specialize in company registration in Bahrain can also help you with trademark registration. Our team will guide you throughout the process and will provide information about the most important steps. 

Trademarks are protected for 10 years in Bahrain, and they can be renewed for subsequent periods. When the applicant wishes to extend an existing trademark protection, the requirement is to submit the application for extension during the final year of the period.

What are the documents required for a trademark application?

Trademark applications are submitted alongside a set of documents and, most importantly, a specimen of the trademark for which the application is made. Our agents specializing in company formation in Bahrain list the following:

• trademark example: the chosen name, words, colors, or other items that comprise the trademark are to be presented in a soft copy, in a picture format, or one that suits the type that is being protected;
• trademark registration form: the registration form, the format indicated by the Ministry, is to be fully filled in with the applicant’s details upon submission;
• proof of existing registration: for companies that already have a trademark registered in another foreign country, proof of such registration shall be presented;
• power of attorney: for foreign applicants who are required to make the registration through a licensed firm;
• others: several other documents may be required, such as the company’s certificate of incorporation. 

Individuals who are interested in complete services for company formation in Bahrain, prior to registering their trademark, can reach out to our agents. We can provide the needed services to incorporate a company in Bahrain as well as register its trademark here.

Documents required for Bahraini trademark registration as a foreigner

Please note that the documents to file as a local company, citizen, or Bahraini residence permit holder will vary. The common papers to be submitted are:

• the application form;
• the graphic representation of the form;
• the power of attorney for the representative (we remind you that foreign applicants must use specialized services).

Apart from these, you need to consider preparing the following:

• the Registration Certificate in case you own a Bahraini company;
• proof of doing business in Bahrain in the case of non-resident companies;
• a certificate from the country of origin is also required in the case of foreign companies (the document must be translated into Arabic and notarized);
• identification papers in the case of natural persons (ID/passport and a valid residence permit).

Also, if the trademark contains one or more foreign words, a certified Arabic translation must be filed alongside the other documents. Specific papers will be required depending on the type of mark to be registered.

We remind you that if you open a company in Bahrain, you can also file for trademark registration for its commercial name.

How long does it take to register a trademark in Bahrain?

Here is a breakdown of the trademark registration time frame in Bahrain after you file the documents and they are approved:

• the mark is published in the Official Gazette for 60 days;
• then, the opposition period will take 60 days more;
• if there is no opposition, the Certificate of Registration will be issued in around 6 months;
• in case of oppositions or other situations that impede the registration, the procedure may take up to 10 months.

What are the main advantages of trademark registration in Bahrain?

A common trademark form is a sign with distinctive features that may include: names, words, symbols, colors, or a combination thereof.  However, those who apply for trademark registration in Bahrain may also register a sound or smell, as these could also be considered trademarks.

A trademark allows a company to distinguish itself on the market as well as create a professional and credible image. Companies that are already established and known in other jurisdictions will wish to carry their distinctiveness when they extend to another country. 

Having a registered trademark prevents other companies or individuals from using that distinctive mark without permission. A special derogation applies when a company expands to Bahrain through a franchise. In this case, the one acquiring the franchise rights will also be allowed by the parent company to use its trademark. 

Once a trademark is registered, it becomes an intangible asset owned by the company. It also means that the company can use the ® symbol on its logo (indicating that the company is the only one that can use the trademark). 

Investors who wish to set up a company in Bahrain can find it highly beneficial to also register a trademark.  You can also rely on our lawyers in Bahrain if you want to file for trademark registration.

Trademark application statistics in Bahrain

According to the Directorate of Industrial Property in the country, at the level of 2023:

• the total number of trademark applications in Bahrain was 913;
• out of these, 436 filings were filed by residents;
• the remaining 477 applications were submitted from abroad.

Contact us for more information on company formation in Bahrain, trademark, patent, and intellectual property registration services.