Manama, Jan. 18 (BNA): The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and MoUs with the European Patent Office.

The signing of the agreements were signed by Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Kim Wan ki, Commissioner of the Korea Intellectual Property Bureau; and António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office.

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 MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain and the Korean Intellectual Property Office aims to accelerate the procedures for patent applications.

The MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain (Patent Office) and the European Patent Office aims to establish a mechanism to identify, direct and enhance cooperation 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 to a memorandum of understanding on the pilot program for the fast track of patent examination between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain (the Patent Office) and the European Patent Office.

The MoU aims to implement a comprehensive pilot program for the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), which allows applicants to apply for quick processing of corresponding applications covering the same invention.

H.K