Latest Updates on Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
Brand owners planning for trademark registration in Saudi Arabia must know about the latest changes and reforms in the Kingdom’s IP regime. In the last two years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced many reforms that are likely to enhance the trademark protection regime in the country. Trademark agents in Saudi can assist you with registering your trademarks in line with the latest reforms.
Being unaware of the changed procedures and requirements may delay your trademark registration process in Saudi Arabia. It will lead to unnecessary expenses and a waste of time. The below blog will help you to avoid such roadblocks in your trademark registration journey. Read ahead to know further about the latest updates on registering a trademark in Saudi Arabia:
Cost of Trademark Publication in Saudi Reduced
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) in 2022 reduced the official publication related to trademarks. The new reform comes in line with the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision of reinforcing economic and investment activities. The below table describes the reduced fees for various requirements as against the old fees:
| Items | New Fee (USD) | Old Fee (USD) | |
| Trademark Filing | Publication Fees in the Official Gazette | 155 | 920 |
| Trademark Renewal | Publication of Renewed Trademark | 310 | 920 |
| Trademark Assignment | Publication of Assignment | 155 | 460 |
| Trademark Merger of an Owner of Trademark | Publication of a merger | 155 | 460 |
| Trademark Recordal of Change (Name and/or Address) | Publication fees for name change recordals | 155 | 460 |
| Publication fees for change of address recordals | 155 | 460 | |
| Publication fees for change of name and address recordals | 155 | 460 |
Brand Enforcement Responsibility Transferred to SAIP
In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Commerce in Saudi Arabia recently transferred the responsibility of trademark enforcement to the SAIP. The transfer of responsibility means SAIP has become the competent authority for all matters related to intellectual property in the Kingdom, including its protection, sponsorship, enforcement, and direct supervision as per applicable laws. The SAIP will handle requests for trademark enforcement and registration from beneficiaries as well as direct complaints of rights infringement and imitation through its website, email or phone number. Consult with trademark agents in Saudi Arabia for further information.
Registration of Sound Trademarks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia granted registration for a sound trademark application for the first time in the latter half of 2020. The first sound trademark registered in Saudi belongs to the Saudi Telecom Company (STC). Granting trademark registration for a sound trademark shows the robust evolution of Saudi’s IP laws. If you want to register a sound trademark in the UAE, you must file a graphical representation of the sound mark by way of musical notes forming a melody. Trademark agents in the UAE can further assist you with the registration of a sound trademark.
Saudi Arabia Follows 11th Edition of Nice Classification
The SAIP (Saudi Arabia Intellectual Property) recently adopted the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification of goods and services. The previous edition (10th edition) didn’t cover the latest updates and additions to the goods and services. For new trademark filings in Saudi, brand owners are required to check the alphabetical list to identify or select the exact classification of each product or service in line with their goods and services.
You must remember that the SAIP will refuse to accept any additional goods or services that are not identified in either the class heading or the alphabetical list. Also, the SAIP has not included certain terms online even though they are included in the recent edition. For instance, classes related to alcoholic beverages will not be accepted to be chosen from the list and filed.
Now, Family Names can be Trademarked in Saudi Arabia
The SAIP from last year has begun to accept family names as trademarks. However, the trademarking of family names in Saudi is subject to the following conditions:
- The name of the family must be the main element of the trademark and not the brand itself
- The family name to be trademarked must comply with the current trademark law in Saudi Arabia, which applies to all kinds of trademarks
- The name of the family to be trademarked must be in commercial use for at least 10 years
- The family name proposed for trademark registration must be distinctive and must be filed under relevant goods or services as per Nice Classification
- The SAIP will not allow the family names of tribes and clans for trademark registration
Register a Trademark in Saudi with Jitendra Intellectual Property
The process of trademark registration in Saudi Arabia can be tough for foreigners due to their lack of knowledge of the language and laws. However, trademark agents such as Jitendra Intellectual Property (JIP) can make the process simple and hassle-free. JIP is a full-service intellectual property firm with years of experience in providing trademark registration services to thousands of clients in the GCC countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Our team of highly qualified trademark agents can ensure that your trademarks remain protected in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.