Bahrain has officially joined the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), marking a significant milestone in promoting innovative ideas and streamlining patent examination processes.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Patent Prosecution Highway Pilot Program between China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and Bahrain Ministry for Industry and Commerce (MOIC), the China-Bahrain PPH pilot program officially commenced on May 1, 2024, and will run for five years until April 30, 2029.

Under this pilot program, applicants who receive 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 enables each office to leverage the work previously done by the other office.