Special Committee of Objections Formed in Bahrain

 The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued law No. 18 of 2002, forming the Committee of Objections to look into grievances relating to the registration of trademarks. This committee was provided for in Law No. 10 of 1991 Pertaining to Trademarks Registration (Trademarks Law). The committee is charged with matters pertaining to Articles 13 and 14 of the Trademarks Law, with Article 13 covering trademark application rejections and Article 14 covering, among other issues, oppositions and objections to oppositions.
 
 Under Law No. 18 of 2002, an applicant has the right to appeal before the Committee within 30 days of notification of rejection (after which the application becomes null and void). If the Committee decision is negative, the applicant may further appeal to the Supreme Civil Court within 30 days of rejection notification. If the Committee decision is positive, the trademark application is published in the Official Gazette. By the same token, Article 15 of the Trademark Law provides that if there is an opposition after publication in the Official Gazette, the applicant has 30 days to file an objection to the opposition. The Committee shall approve or reject the opposition. The Committee decision may then be appealed to the Supreme Civil Court for a final decision on whether or not registration of the mark will be permitted.
 
 (INTA Bulletin, March 15, 2003 - Vol. 58, No.6)