Designed for professionals responsible for patent filing, registration, and enforcement in Saudi Arabia, this seminar focuses on Royal Decree No. M/27 of 2008—the Integrated Law on Patents, Integrated Circuit Layouts, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs—and covers the operations of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), government fees, PCT national phase entry, IP reforms under Vision 2030, compliance with Sharia law,patent term extensions for pharmaceuticals, and enforcement of rights in the Commercial Court’s IP Division—a patent attorney will systematically explain the full scope of patent practice in the Middle East’s largest economic zone.
Key Points of This Article
SAUDI ARABIA PATENT
A comprehensive guide to the patent system and practice in Saudi Arabia, the largest economic zone in the Middle East, written by a patent attorney. This book systematically explains 12 key areas, ranging from SAIP applications to Royal Decree M/27 of 2008, Vision 2030, the PCT, Sharia compliance, and the enforcement of rights in the Commercial Court’s IP Division.
Saudi Arabian patent practice is a hybrid system combining Sharia law and a modern patent system, centered on Royal Decree No. M/27 (2008, the Integrated Law on Patents, Integrated Circuit Layouts, Plant Varieties, and Designs), with implementing regulations and SAIP guidelines governing applications, examination, and disputes.As part of the IP pillar of Vision 2030 (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s national vision), significant modernization is underway in the 2020s.
Four Key Points to Keep in Mind for Patent Practice in Saudi Arabia
The “primary law” of the Saudi Arabian patent system is Royal Decree No. M/27 of 1429 H (2008), the Law on Patents, Integrated Circuit Layouts, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs, which features a unique structure integrating these four types of industrial property rights into a single law.Provisions regarding the definition of an invention, novelty and inventive step, patentable subject matter, application procedures, the scope of rights, compulsory licensing, infringement, and criminal penalties are systematically set forth.
| Laws | Content |
|---|---|
| Royal Decree No. M/27 (2008) | Integrated Law on Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs |
| Implementing Regulations | Procedural Rules and Fees |
| Royal Decree Establishing SAIP (2017) | Establishment of the Independent IP Office |
| Commercial Courts Act | IP Jurisdiction of the Commercial Court |
| GCC Patent Law | Suspension of New Applications as of January 2021 |
| Sharia Law (Islamic Law) | Fundamental Principles of Public Order and Morals |
SAIP (Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property) was established in 2017 and is headquartered in Riyadh. In 2020, IP administration was fully transferred from KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology). The electronic filing system, "SAIP IP Portal," is fully operational.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s National Strategy
| Organization | Jurisdiction and Characteristics |
|---|---|
| SAIP IP Committee | Patent Examination and First-Instance Opposition (Administrative Proceedings) |
| Commercial Court (IP Division) | Infringement and invalidation lawsuits (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) |
| Commercial Court of Appeal | Appeals from Commercial Court Judgments |
| Supreme Court (Diwan al-Mazalim) | Court of Final Appeal and Jurisdiction over Administrative Litigation |
| Item | Direct Filing | Paris Convention Priority | Via PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Application Deadline | Anytime | 12 months from the Japanese filing date | 30 months from the priority date (extendable by 1 month) |
| Language | Arabic or English (Arabic translation required) | Same as above | Arabic translation required (within 90 days) |
| Agent | A patent agent resident in Saudi Arabia is required | Same as above | Same as above |
POA Requirements (Important): Saudi Arabia acceded to the Apostille Convention in April 2024 and is currently transitioning from the traditional authentication by diplomatic missions abroad (consular authentication) to Apostille certification. For POAs from Japan to Saudi Arabia, submission is now possible with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Apostille plus an Arabic translation (transitional measures apply). Must be submitted within 90 days of the filing date.
Required Documents
Processing Time: Previously took 7–10 years, but has been trending toward 3–5 years since the transfer to SAIP. Examination resources are being significantly expanded under Vision 2030.
| Item | Fee (SAR) | Converted to Japanese Yen |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (Individual) | SAR 800 | Approx. 32,000 yen |
| Application Fee (Corporation) | SAR 1,500 | Approx. 60,000 yen |
| Substantive examination fee | SAR 800 | Approx. 32,000 yen |
| Publication and Registration Fee | SAR 1,000 | Approx. 40,000 yen |
| Opposition Fee | SAR 1,500 | Approx. 60,000 yen |
| Annual fee (5th year) | SAR 800 | Approx. 32,000 yen |
| Pension (10th year) | SAR 1,500 | Approx. 60,000 yen |
| Annuity (15th year) | SAR 3,000 | Approx. 120,000 yen |
| Pension (20th year) | SAR 5,000 | Approx. 200,000 yen |
While the 2008 Saudi law did not explicitly include a PTE system, its introduction is under consideration following the 2024 regulatory amendments. A compensation system for the regulatory review period related to SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) drug approvals is currently being discussed.
Suspension of New GCC Patent Applications (January 2021)
The GCC Patent System (GCC Patent Office, headquartered in Riyadh) was a regional system providing protection across six countries—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait—with a single application; however, acceptance of new applications has been suspended since January 6, 2021. In Saudi Arabia, a separate domestic application to the SAIP is now required. Existing GCC patents remain valid in Saudi Arabia.
Japanese Companies’ Patent Strategy in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia joined the PCT on August 3, 2013. National phase entry is possible within 30 months of the priority date (extendable by an additional month). The JPO-SAIP PPH began operations in September 2018—early examination is available based on Japanese granted claims.
JPO-SAIP PPH: Launched in 2018; available free of charge. Reduces processing time from 3–5 years to 1–2 years. Saudi Arabia also participates in the Global PPH (IP5+α). It is one of the few countries in the Middle East with a PPH agreement.
Commercial Court IP Division (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam)
By registering a patent recordal with the Saudi Customs Authority (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, ZATCA), it is possible to stop the import of counterfeit goods. King Abdulaziz Port (Dammam) and Jeddah Islamic Port are among the leading ports in the Middle East.
SAIP possesses independent administrative enforcement authority, enabling it to seal warehouses containing counterfeit goods, conduct investigations, and issue injunctions. It operates within an enforcement framework in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Customs, and the Public Prosecution.
Patent infringement is punishable by a fine of up to SAR 250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years. Penalties are increased for repeat offenses. Stricter penalties for organized counterfeiting are currently being implemented.
| Item | Japan | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Language of Application | Japanese | Arabic or English (Arabic translation required) |
| Consolidated Law | Separate Laws for Patents, Utility Models, and Designs | Integrated System (Patent + Integrated Circuits + Plants + Designs) |
| Religious Law Compliance | None | Compliant with Sharia Law (Mandatory) |
| Request for Examination | Required (3 years) | Not required (automatic examination) |
| PCT National Phase | 30 months | 30 months + 1-month extension possible |
| PPH | Available | JPO-SAIP PPH (since 2018) |
| POA requirements | Not required | Apostille + Arabic translation (2024–) |
| Judicial System | Patent Office → Intellectual Property High Court | Commercial Court IP Division → Appeal → Supreme Court |
The Saudi Arabian patent system is the largest patent market in the Middle East, undergoing rapid modernization through IP reforms under Vision 2030 and the independence of SAIP (2017). For Japanese companies to succeed in their patent strategies in the Saudi market, the key lies in combining the use of the JPO-SAIP PPH, prior confirmation of compliance with Sharia law, and the simplification of procedures resulting from Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Apostille Convention in 2024.Please also see our PCT international patent applications and patent application services.
EVORIX Intellectual Property Law Firm provides comprehensive support for patent applications and enforcement in major Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Israel, etc.). Our patent attorneys, with extensive practical experience and working in collaboration with local agents, handle everything from compliance with Vision 2030 and Sharia law to utilizing the JPO-SAIP PPH and enforcing rights in the Commercial Court’s IP Division.
*This article is based on the above primary sources and official information as of April 2026 and is intended to provide general information. As laws and regulations are subject to change, we recommend verifying the latest information with primary sources and experts. For specific decisions regarding individual cases, we recommend consulting with experts, including local agents.
AUTHOR / Writer
Takefumi Sugiura
Representative Patent Attorney, EVORIX Intellectual Property Firm
Assists clients across a wide range of industries—including IT, manufacturing, startups, fashion, and healthcare—from patent, trademark, design, and copyright applications through to trials and infringement litigation. Also well-versed in intellectual property strategies for cutting-edge fields such as AI, IoT, Web3, and FinTech. Member of multiple organizations, including the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA), and the Japan Trademark Association (JTA).