The Trade Mark Office (“TMO”) in Bahrain has issued opposition decisions without scheduling a hearing where the parties involved can present arguments before the opposition committee. The Bahrain Trade Mark Act allows for opposition of published marks by anyone interested within 60 days of publication. The opposition is to be submitted to the TMO in writing stating the grounds. Subsection 13(2) of the Act provides that the TMO determines the procedures for opposition matters. According to the Bahrain TMO, the current practice is that the opposition committee meets to decide on multiple oppositions at a single sitting. The presence of the parties involved is not required or preferred based on the view that it may cause substantial delay to the process in general. However, if a party requests to be present or if the TMO requires the presence of a party to clarify specific issues, then the party will be invited to appear before the committee before a decision on the opposition is rendered. (Bahrain Trade Mark Office, November 2014)
