Bahrain and Japan Sign MoU to Launch Patent Prosecution Highway Program

 

The Kingdom of Bahrain and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program, aimed at accelerating patent examination and enhancing cooperation in the field of intellectual property. The PPH program, set to launch on January 1, 2026, will enable applicants to fast-track patent applications in one country based on a favorable examination result in the other. This streamlined process will reduce duplication, speed up decisions, and provide more efficient patent protection.

 

This partnership reflects Bahrain’s commitment to building a robust intellectual property ecosystem, supporting innovation, and attracting high-quality investments. Currently, Bahrain has a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement with China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), South Korea, European Patent Office (EPO), Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) and Oman Patent Office (OPO) and Japan Patent Office (JPO).

 

Russia: New Official Fees by the Russian Patent and Trademark Office

 

The Russian Patent and Trademark Office (Rospatent) has revised its official trademark fees, introducing additional charges for new trademark applications and renewal actions that include more than 10 items of goods or services per class as stipulated in Government Resolution No. 1459, published on September 26, 2025. According to new changes, an additional fee will be incurred per each item of goods/services over the first 10 items of goods/services for filing, examination and publication as well as for renewal. Notably, the fee calculation will now depend not only on the number of classes of the Nice Classification, but also on the number of goods or services within each class. The new changes took effect from October 4, 2025.

 

 

 

Nepal: Suspension of Trademark Requirements and Actions by Nepal Department of Industry (DOI)

 

The Department of Industry (DOI) has announced the suspension of its recent trademark circular, which was dated August 19, 2025 (Nepal date: 2082/05/03).

 

The suspension is due to the destruction of files by fire at the Industrial Property Branch following nationwide incidents of unrest on September 9, 2025 (2082/05/24). As a result, the Department is currently unable to process industrial property tasks.

 

In this respect, it should be noted that deadlines for all mandatory actions, including the submission of outstanding documents, payment of fees, and filing of proof of use for registered marks, are postponed until further notice.

 

We are actively monitoring the situation in Nepal. We strongly advise you to have all necessary documents and fees prepared and ready, as new deadlines may be reinstated quickly once the DOI is operational again. JAH Intellectual Property will provide immediate notification upon receipt of any new directives or any required documents from the department of Industry that may be required to be submitted.

 

Should you have any questions, please contact us without delay.

Kenya:  Temporary Suspension of Intellectual Property Processing in Kenya

The Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), which serves as the national Trade Mark Office (TMO), is currently facing a governance stalemate with its parent ministry, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. On September 30, 2025, the Ministry issued a directive explicitly ordering KIPI to desist from registering, revoking, or renewing any trademarks, patents, and industrial designs without the express approval of the Ministry Board. As a direct consequence, the TMO is unable to process any transactions, including the filing of new applications and renewals until a clear operational guideline is agreed upon between the Ministry and KIPI.

We are treating this situation with the highest urgency and are in constant communication with KIPI, which is closely monitoring the progression of this administrative situation. We will keep you updated on any developments concerning the resumption of normal services at the Kenyan IP Office.