Saudi Arabia
Trademark
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
CLASSIFICATION
In the 12th edition, a single-class application, registration is not permissible for Class 33, alcoholic products in Class 32, pork meat in Class 29, and Christmas trees and associated items in Class 28.
SEARCH
Possibility of word and device markings
EXAMINATION
Regarding formal, absolute, and relative considerations
OPPOSITION
60 days after the date of publication
PROTECTION TERM
Renewable for similar intervals, the registration lasts for approximately 9 years and 8 months from the filing date, which corresponds to 10 Hijri years.
USE
Subject to potential cancellation if the mark remains unused for 5 years from the date of registration.
REQUIREMENTS
Filing Requirements
A Power of Attorney (POA) must have an Apostille certification or undergo legalization for all the procedures listed below. Additionally, further legalization is necessary at the Ministry of Justice.
TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS
The following international agreements and organizations are noteworthy in the realm of intellectual property and trade: World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council, Berne Convention, Paris Convention, GCC Patent Law, Patent Law Treaty, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Locarno Agreement, Marrakesh Treaty, and Vienna Agreement.
REGISTRATION
Filing Requirements
A certified copy of the priority document, if priority is claimed
What you need to know
A scanned, full-color copy of both the POA and the priority document is required upon submission during the initial filing. The original copies can be provided within 3 months starting from the filing date.
RENEWAL
Filing Requirements
Not required any additional documents
What you need to know
The lunar grace period is 6 months
Before the date of intended usage, a POA cannot have been executed more than five years ago.
CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS
Filing Requirements
Legalised Certificate of Name Change
Apart from the POA, no further paperwork is needed for a change of address.
What you need to know
Recorded just for registration purposes
ASSIGNMENT
Filing Requirements
Assignment deed with certification of Apostille
What you need to know
It is possible to assign trademarks with or without the involved business’s consent.
May be recorded for registrations only.
MERGER
Filing Requirements
Merger certificate bearing Apostille certification
What you need to know
May be recorded for registrations only
LICENSE
Filing Requirements
License agreement, with Apostille certification
What you need to know
Although they are not required, license records are advised to effectively combat third parties.
Recorded just for registration purposes
Patents
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
EQUIVALENT SEARCH
Patent holders have the option to conduct an official search within granted and published patents using criteria such as patentee name, title, subject matter, or priority/PCT number.
EXAMINATION
Regarding its form, novelty, inventive nature, and industrial applicability.
PUBLICATION
Patents are released in the Official Gazette following a thorough review but before being officially granted.
OPPOSITION
No provisions
ANNUITIES
The fee is due on an annual basis and should be settled within the first three months of each calendar year, beginning from the year when the patent application was submitted. A grace period of three months is allowed for late payments, subject to an additional surcharge.
PROTECTION TERM
20 years from the international filing date
REQUIREMENTS
Filing Requirements
For all the processes listed below, a Power of Attorney (POA) must be accompanied by an Apostille certification or legalization. Additional legalization is necessary at the Ministry of Justice.
REGISTRATION
Filing Requirements
- Copy of International Publication
- Copy of International Search Report (ISR)
- Copy of Assignment (issued by WIPO)
- Copy of the priority document (provided by WIPO)
- Specifications in both English and Arabic
- Drawings in both English and Arabic
- A legally sworn English translation of the priority document
- Important Information:
What you need to know
At the time of filing, it is mandatory to submit the Arabic translation, a copy of the international publication, ISR, specifications, and drawings.
The Power of Attorney (POA) and the remaining documents may be provided within 3 lunar months from the filing date.
CHANGE OF NAME OR ADDRESS
Filing Requirements
Legalised Certificate of Change of Name and Address
ASSIGNMENT
Filing Requirements
Deed of assignment, legalized
What you need to know
The assignor or assignee may submit a POA.
MERGER
Filing Requirements
Certificate of merger, legalized
LICENSE
Filing Requirements
License agreement, legalized
What you need to know
POA may be submitted by licensee or licensor
Design
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
PROTECTION TERM
10 years from the filing date
EXAMINATION
As to form and novelty
APPLICATION WITH MULTIPLE FIGURES
Inadmissible
RENEWAL
An annual maintenance fee for designs is required, and it should be paid within the initial three months of each calendar year following the year when the design application was submitted. A grace period of three months is allowed for late payments, subject to an additional surcharge.
LOCARNO CLASSIFICATION
Yes
OPPOSITION
No provisions
REQUIREMENTS
Filing Requirements
A Power of Attorney (POA) that has been legalized.
A Deed of Assignment from the designer(s), is also legalized.
Visual representations (figures, drawings, or photos) on a white background.
A detailed description of the design.
If a priority claim is made, a copy of the priority document is certified and accompanied by an English translation.
What you need to know
Visual representations such as figures, drawings, or photos, along with a description of the design, are required to be submitted during the initial filing. The remaining documents can be provided within three months from the filing date.