Substantial Increase in Official Fees and Introduction of Online Publication in Bahrain
Joseph G. (Aug 16, 2016)
Pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 65 of 2016 approving the Implementing Regulations of the GCC Trademark Law, the official fees for trademark related matters have increased significantly across the board in comparison with their current level. The new rates became effective as of May 29, 2016 and are applied on all new as well as pending applications.
The increase in fees has also been coupled with the introduction of an electronic Official Gazette (eOG). The eOG will be available in English and Arabic and is expected to be published every Thursday of each week. This electronic version will contain the particulars of each accepted trademark application and a representa tive drawing, along with a list of cancelled registrations. It will also contain the particulars of approved Recordals of License Agreements and Transfers of Ownership. For
the time being, the eOG will not be including a list of renewed registrations, notices of office actions, as well as particulars of international registrations designating Bahrain.
The first eOG was issued on June 2, 2016 and included around 1,000 publications. On the publication date or shortly thereafter, applicants should carefully review the information that appear in the eOG for accuracy. Any interested party may file an opposition against a published trademark within 60 days from publication date.
