Saudi Arabia Trademark Law Update

18-Jan-2024

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has recently approved regulations regarding the use of the names 'Saudi Arabia' or 'Saudi', as well as the names of its cities, as trademarks. These regulations aim to assist brand owners in registering 'Saudi Arabia' or any representation, symbol, or reference associated with the nation in any language as trademarks. The guidelines also cover trademark ownership transfers, assignments, and related legal actions.

It is important to note that the mark “Saudi Arabia” is still considered state property, as specified in these guidelines. To register a trademark containing this name, the applicant must either be a government entity or an entity subject to specific regulations. Alternatively, the trademark should be associated with a significant and distinctive real estate or service project. Furthermore, 'Saudi Arabia' should be a component of the trademark and not the primary or dominant element, to avoid confusion about the origin of goods or services.