Intellectual Property

How does the Government of Bahrain protect Intellectual Property? The Kingdom of Bahrain champions the rights of creators and innovators by having an unwavering commitment to safeguarding intellectual property, where innovation thrives, and creators are honored and protected, thereby ensuring that the fruits of human creativity are respected, rewarded, and preserved.

Protecting Intellectual Property

The Kingdom of Bahrain rigorously upholds intellectual property rights, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to implementing protections that align with global best practices. This commitment is evidenced through Bahrain's comprehensive intellectual property laws.

A key initiative in this area is the "Technology Transfer" program. This forward-thinking program is strategically designed to boost patent acquisition within Bahrain. It fosters an environment where inventions are not only recognized but also transformed into viable projects. These projects play a crucial role in generating employment opportunities for Bahraini citizens. A significant aspect of the program is its focus on bridging the gap between academia and the industrial as well as commercial sectors.

In line with international standards, Bahrain is a signatory to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. The country achieved the 44th position on the World Economic Forum's 2017-2018 Global Competitiveness Index, highlighting its commitment to global intellectual property standards.

Intellectual property rights in Bahrain are safeguarded by comprehensive Intellectual Property Laws.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce provides Trademarks and Patent registration eServices to facilitate intellectual property protection and reserve the rights of businesses and individuals in Bahrain.

Authors' Rights and Attendants' Rights

The laws of Bahrain provide protection for literary, artistic, and scientific works from the moment of their creation, without necessitating any procedural formality. This protection extends to works regardless of their value, type, purpose, or method of expression. Specifically, protection covers:

• Books, brochures, articles, leaflets, and other written works.
• Computer software, whether in source language or machine language.
• Verbal works, such as lectures, speeches, sermons, and similar creations.
• Dramatic works, musical dramas, dances, pantomimes, and other theatrical performances.
• Musical works, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by words.
• Audiovisual works, including cinematographic and TV works.
• Visual arts, such as paintings using lines or colors, sculptures, inscriptions, lithographs, printing on fabrics, wood, metals, and similar works.
• Applied works of art.
• Photographic works and similar creations.
• Illustrations, geographical maps, designs, sketches, and 3-D works related to geography, topography, architecture, or science.

Creative titles associated with works enjoy the same protection as the works themselves. Bahrain's legal provisions underscore its commitment to securing the intellectual property rights of creators and contributors across a diverse spectrum of artistic and innovative endeavors.