Bahrain Signs Patent Prosecution Highway Agreement with China

MANAMA – The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) of Bahrain has officially joined the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), marking a significant step forward in promoting inventive minds and streamlining the patent examination process.

Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with Zheng Shanjie, Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), in Beijing, where they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between CNIPA and MOIC, the China-Bahrain PPH pilot program officially started on May 1, 2024, and will run for five years until April 30, 2029.

Under this pilot program, an applicant who receives a positive ruling on patent claims from either MOIC or CNIPA can request accelerated prosecution of corresponding claims in the other office during the examination stage. This allows each office to build on the work previously done by the other office.

For more information about this initiative, please contact AGIP's office in Bahrain at bahrain@agip.com