In Bahrain, trademark registration is mandatory to obtain rights over a trademark, as it is a “first-to-file” jurisdiction. Except for some exceptional situations, unregistered trademarks are not protected.
Trademark applications must be filed with the Directorate of Industrial Property of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain, also known as MOIC.
Trademarks can only be registered in the name of a company, not an individual.
Bahrain is also a member state to the Madrid Protocol, meaning that protection in Bahrain can be obtained by extending an international registration through the Madrid System. We offer trademark filing through the Madrid System.
Prior use of a trademark is not required for registration, but it may help overcome objections based on lack of distinctiveness by proving that the mark has acquired distinctiveness through use.
If you register a combined trademark (word + figurative elements) in Bahrain, your exclusive right is limited to the exact configuration in which the mark is filed and registered. If you wish to use the word and logo separately, it is advisable to file additional applications covering each element on its own.