Belize is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Belize has a clear regime under the Copyright Act 2000 of copyright exceptions that follows fair dealing model, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted work by others without obtaining permission. Arts. 55-85 list the exceptions, which include the use for purposes of research and private study (Art 56); criticism, review, and reporting (Art 57); educational purposes (Arts. 60-65); copying by librarians or archivists (Arts. 66 to 70); public administration (Arts.71-72); literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic works (Sections 76-80); among others.

According to Art. 61 of the Patents Act, every applicant for a patent whose ordinary residence or principal place of business is outside Belize shall be represented by an attorney-at-law (as an agent) who is resident in Belize and practicing in Belize in accordance with the relevant law.

It is reported that Belize present some challenges in participating and competing in public procurement and in dispute settlement processes, in particular relating to State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Moreover, the reports point out a lack of transparency, land insecurity, bureaucracy, delays, and corruption in the tender process. In addition, throughout much of 2022, key transparency and oversight bodies, including the Integrity Commission, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Auditor General’s Office, and the Labor Commissioner’s position remained vacant. In practice, it is reported these offices are understaffed and under-resourced to effectively undertake their respective mandates.

Belize is not a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

Belize is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

According to Art. 21 of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act 2011, a limited tender procedure may be established due to national security, or for reasons of national emergency. According to Art. 2 of the Act, a limited tender procedure means a procurement in which the Government does not call for any tender or in which the Government individually invites suppliers to submit a bid for a contract.

Bahrain has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Bahrain has signed and ratified the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Bahrain has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

It is reported that the de minimis threshold, that is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties, is USD 790.

Bahrain has a legal framework that applies consumer protection to online transactions. Law No. 35 of 2012 with respect to Consumer Protection governs consumer protection matters in general. In addition, Decree No. 54 of 2018 issuing the Law on Electronic Communications and Transactions updates a repealed law and expands the range of transactions that may be carried out electronically. Under the law, electronic signatures are generally considered valid and binding, but Bahraini authorities have yet to register any accredited certification service providers.

The Legislative Decree No. 27 generally applies to all businesses carrying out commercial activities in Bahrain, including branches of foreign companies. According to Arts. 8-9 of the Decree, all businesses are required to be registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and appropriately licensed by the relevant regulated body in relation to carrying out particular activities, such as operations of e Marketplaces / websites / web portals (activity 6312), and retail sale via internet (activity 4791) in addition to other commercial activity if required.

In accordance with the Law No. 81 of 2006 with respect to Approving the Common Industrial Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), exporters, and re-exporters of several products must obtain an industrial licence from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism (MoICT). This licence may be issued only to a firm or an individual resident in Bahrain and it is valid for one year (renewable). The products that the license regime apply to include electric motors, generators, transformers, and electricity distribution and control apparatus; batteries and accumulators; wiring and wiring devices; electric lighting equipment; domestic appliances, other electric equipment; machinery and equipment.