Bahrain joins global IP agreement as it seeks to attract innovation-led investment

Bahrain has joined an international agreement aimed at strengthening industrial design protection and aligning its intellectual property framework with global standards, as the Kingdom continues efforts to foster innovation and attract investment.

The country has deposited its instrument of accession to the Locarno Agreement Establishing an International Classification for Industrial Designs with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.

The accession took place at WIPO headquarters in the presence of Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva.

The Locarno Agreement establishes a unified international classification system for industrial designs, helping streamline registration procedures, improve the efficiency of design protection systems, and strengthen international cooperation in the field of intellectual property.

According to the Bahrain News Agency, the accession reflects Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to enhance its intellectual property ecosystem and create an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and knowledge-based economic growth.

The Kingdom said that joining the agreement supports its broader economic development objectives by strengthening its innovation ecosystem, reinforcing investor confidence, and enhancing its attractiveness as an investment destination, while contributing to the global intellectual property system.