Country Overview
Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the Middle East, a global leader in energy, petrochemicals, industrial production, and a rapidly expanding technology market projected to reach USD 71 billion by 2029. The Kingdom is undergoing a sweeping transformation under Vision 2030, driving diversification into digital, entertainment, biotech, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
As a long-standing member of the Paris Convention (1939) and the PCT, Saudi Arabia provides a stable and highly structured IP environment. Recent modernization initiatives combined with significant regulatory reforms have positioned the Kingdom as a major IP hub in the GCC.
With an innovation-driven development strategy and strong enforcement systems, Saudi Arabia continues to attract global corporations, investors, and technology companies seeking robust protection for their intellectual assets.
UTMPS Presence in Saudi Arabia
UTMPS has supported IP owners in Saudi Arabia since 1988, making us one of the Kingdom’s most established and experienced IP partners. We operate in cooperation with the local law firm, delivering high-value advisory, filings, and enforcement for multinational and regional rights holders navigating the Kingdom’s fast-evolving commercial landscape.
Our team supports clients across all major industries, including energy, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, technology, industrial manufacturing, and retail, offering precise guidance adapted to nuanced local procedures.
Saudi Arabia IP System Overview
Saudi Arabia is a signatory to numerous international intellectual property treaties and conventions, notably the Paris Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Berne Convention, and the Hague Agreement.
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) is the Kingdom’s governmental body responsible for managing all aspects of IP protection.
This section provides a high-level overview of jurisdiction-specific IP protection requirements and is not intended to be comprehensive. For advice on your specific matter, please contact our IP experts.
- Classification: Single-class, 12th Edition of Nice Classification.
- Protection Term: 10 Hijri years (approximately 9 years and 7-8 months)
- Madrid: Acceded ( November 2023), but not yet operational
- Priority: 12 months
- Registration Timeline: approx. 6–8 months
- Opposition: 60 days
- Filing Requirements:
- Apostilled POA
- Applicant details + DUNS/CR number
- Specimen (JPEG)
- Arabic description & translation
- Renewal: last year of protection + 6 Hijri month grace period
- Governing Law: Law on Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Designs (Royal Decree No. M/27 (2004), as amended by Royal Decree No. M/45 (2023)).
- Saudi Arabia is a member of both the Paris Convention and PCT.
- Protection Term: 20 years from the filing date.
- Priority: 12 months (Paris) / 30 months (PCT)
- Maintenance Fees: Due annually (1 Jan–31 Mar); 3-month grace period with double fees applies.
- Filing Requirements:
- Local agent filing is required.
- Arabic translations of the specification and drawings must be submitted at filing.
- A legalized Power of Attorney and remaining formal documents may be filed within a 3-month grace period from the filing date.
- Protection Term: 15 years from filing
- Hague System: Yes (as of 2025)
- Filing Requirements: Design images and description required at filing; legalized POA and remaining documents may be submitted within 3 months.
- Multiple Designs per Application: Not permitted (one design per application).
- Examination: Formalities and novelty.
- Maintenance Fees: annual (same cycle as patents)
- Governing Law: Copyright Law (Royal Decree No. M/41, 2003) . Protection covers literary, artistic, scientific works, software, and digital content
- Protection term: life of the author + 50 years
- Corporate Entities/Anonymous Works: 50 years from the date of first publication.
- Applied Arts & Photographs: 25 years from publication.
- Broadcasting Organizations: 20 years from the first transmission.
Riyadh
Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Road (30th Street), Opposite Madaris Al Mustaqbil, Sulaimaniya District,
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Global Reach
With a presence across 20+ jurisdictions spanning the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, UTMPS delivers comprehensive IP solutions tailored to local requirements.
Outside our footprint, we coordinate matters through a carefully vetted network of trusted IP associates worldwide.
