D1. What is the protection period of an industrial design in Bahrain?

10 years from the filing date and can be renewed only once for a further period of 5 years.

D2. When are the annuities due for industrial design registration in Bahrain?

Annuities are applicable on the anniversary of the design publication date.

D3. What is the time frame for the registration of an industrial design in Bahrain?

10-12 months from the filing date

D4: Is there a grace period for payment of industrial design annuities?

Yes, the patent office allows a grace period of 6 months to pay the relevant annuity without late fees and a further grace period of 6 months with late fees payment.

D5. Is deferment of publication and registration possible for an industrial design application in Bahrain?

No, it is not possible at present.

D6. What types of representations are accepted for a design application?

Drawings or photographs.

D7. Is it possible to file several designs in one application (multiple designs application)?

No, multiple-design applications are not permissible in Bahrain and a separate application must be filed for each design.

D8. What are the minimum and maximum numbers of views required for a design application?

The minimum of views must be 5 views (i.e. right, left, top, bottom, and prescriptive views)

D9. Is it possible to conduct search for a prior design in the official records?

Design search is possible at the patent office.

D10: What are the differences between industrial drawings and industrial models? 

An industrial model refers to a three-dimensional design, while an industrial design (also called industrial drawing) involves a design in two dimensions 

D11: Can an industrial design be protected as a copyrighted work?

Artistic work may be protected by both Copyright and Industrial Design depending on the national law. For example, unique designs would be automatically be protected by Copyright. However, for the specific use of the design in a product, you would want to also protect it under an Industrial Design.

D12: What industrial design rights can’t be protected?

The following shall not be registered as an industrial drawing or model:
1. The industrial drawing or model usually requires the technical or professional considerations of the product.  
2. The drawing or the model which violates the public law or the rules of conduct.
3. The drawing or the model includes religious symbols, seals, or flags of the Kingdom or other countries.
4. The drawing or the model which is identical or similar to a registered trademark or a well-known mark.

D13: What would be better, filing a design or a 3D mark?

The industrial design protects the special shape of the product, that is, its purely aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, a three-dimensional mark is a form that allows identifying that a product is offered by a certain company, that is, it protects the distinctive character of a specific form with respect to others that are found in the market. 3D trademark registration is recommended if the shape is not only able to characterize a company but it is also abstract enough to function as a logo (e.g. a bottle of Coca Cola)

The protection of trademarks is stronger in Bahrain compared to industrial designs, noting that a trademark can be renewed for indefinite years, while an industrial design is valid for 10 years only and renewable once for a period of 5 years. Hence, it is recommended to 3D mark in Bahrain over industrial design.