The Industry and Commerce Ministry yesterday announced the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Korean Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office.
The agreements were signed by Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Korea Intellectual Property Bureau Commissioner Kim Wan ki, and European Patent Office president António Campinos.
“This step is a significant advancement for the kingdom in developing its patent and intellectual property sector. It reinforces Bahrain’s role in protecting all types of intellectual property and patent rights, which helps attract more investments and develop collaboration to achieve further gains,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, the MoU with the Korean Intellectual Property Office aims to accelerate the procedures for patent applications. The agreement with the European Patent Office aims to establish a mechanism to identify, direct and enhance co-operation activities between the two parties in the field of patents, in accordance with the competencies, responsibilities and procedures of each party, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
In addition, another MoU was signed on the pilot programme for the fast-track of patent examination between the Industry and Commerce Ministry (the Patent Office) and the European Patent Office.
It aims to implement a comprehensive programme for the Patent Prosecution Highway, which allows applicants to apply for quick processing of corresponding applications covering the same invention.
Follow us on LinkedIn - Gulf Daily News - GDN
&uuid=(email))