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Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
At present, trademark registration in Saudi Arabia is only possible through the national authority - the Saudi Authority of Intellectual Property (SAIP), since the country has not yet ratified the Madrid Protocol. The procedure for registering and using trademarks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is governed by the relevant legislative acts, including the Intellectual Property Protection Law, the GCC Trademark Law, and its Implementing Regulations.
Contents
Why Register a Trademark in Saudi Arabia
Registering a trademark in Saudi Arabia grants businesses exclusive rights to use their brand within the Kingdom and protects against counterfeiting, copying, and unfair competition.
Since Saudi Arabia follows the “first-to-file” system, if a competitor registers your brand first, you may lose the right to use it. Therefore, timely protection of your trademark through the formal registration procedure is the only method that guarantees the preservation of your rights.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia is a large market with a high risk of counterfeiting. Registration enables customs authorities to block the import of counterfeit goods. Without registration, your brand may be «taken» by local companies, forcing you either to buy back the rights or to change your brand name.
Registering a trademark in the jurisdiction enables companies to enter the Saudi Arabian and GCC markets. In the future, a trademark registered in KSA may serve as the basis for obtaining a unified GCC trademark, as the idea of creating a regional trademark is under discussion among GCC member states. Other reasons include:
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Requirement for government tenders and licensing. Many sectors (healthcare, construction, IT) require official trademark registration to participate in tenders. If you plan to set up a franchise or partner with local companies, a registered trademark is mandatory.
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Increasing business value and investment appeal. A registered trademark is an asset that can be sold, licensed, or used as collateral for a loan.
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Domain and social media protection. Trademark registration gives you priority in disputes over .sa domains and social media accounts.
Who Needs Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia?
Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia is critical for the following categories of businesses:
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Brands planning to sell goods or services in KSA (through local distributors, e-commerce, or their own offices).
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Manufacturers of premium products (luxury brands, electronics, automobiles) particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting.
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Pharmaceutical and medical companies - registration is mandatory for market entry.
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Franchise and licensing business owners.
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Startups and technology companies, including IT startups and SaaS platforms - to protect the name and logo.
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Producers of mass-market goods: food and beverages (especially halal products), cosmetics, and personal care items (high counterfeiting risk).
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Companies participating in government procurement and Vision 2030 projects. For contractors in energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and participants in NEOM, Qiddiya, and other projects - trademark registration is often a tender requirement.
Trademark Registration Procedure in Saudi Arabia
Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia is carried out through the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) and consists of several mandatory stages.
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Preliminary SearchThe process begins with a thorough preliminary search in SAIP’s database and in international registries to ensure there are no identical or confusingly similar trademarks.
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Application filingOnce brand uniqueness is confirmed, an application is filed containing a detailed description of the trademark, a list of goods and services according to the Nice Classification, and applicant details. For foreign companies, it is mandatory to appoint a local agent to represent the applicant before SAIP.
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Formal examinationAfter filing, a formal examination is conducted within 1-2 months to verify the completeness of documents and compliance with legal requirements.
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Substantive examinationThis is followed by substantive examination, lasting 3-4 months, where the trademark’s distinctiveness and compliance with the Kingdom’s public order and moral standards are assessed. Particular attention is paid to trademarks containing religious symbols or elements of cultural heritage - such applications require additional approvals and may be refused.
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Publishing in the Official GazetteIf the examination is successful, the application is published in the Official Gazette.
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Opposition periodAfter which a 60-day opposition period begins for owners of confusingly similar marks.
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Trademark registrationIf no opposition is filed, or if objections are successfully overcome, the trademark is registered, and the applicant receives a certificate valid for 10 years, renewable thereafter. It is important to note that Saudi Arabia strictly applies the first-to-file principle, and the law requires that a registered trademark be used within 5 years of registration - otherwise, rights may be revoked.
Upon registration, the owner gains exclusive rights to use the trademark throughout the Kingdom, including the ability to prevent counterfeit imports via customs. A notable feature of the Saudi system is the requirement to translate all documents into Arabic and the need for notarization of many materials.
Our Services for Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
Law&Trust specialists provide comprehensive legal support for trademark registration in Saudi Arabia. We always start with a free preliminary consultation, during which we analyze your brand and provide recommendations for protection strategy. We conduct an in-depth search through SAIP and international databases to minimize refusal risks. We prepare a full set of documents in Arabic and English, including the application and trademark image, and, if necessary, assist with the power of attorney (a mandatory requirement for foreign applicants).
Our experts liaise with SAIP at all stages: from filing the application to obtaining the certificate. We handle the formal examination (1–2 months), substantive examination (3-4 months), and publication in the Official Gazette. If oppositions arise, we prepare a well-grounded response and represent your interests. After registration, we assist with renewals (every 10 years), transfers, amendments, and brand rights enforcement.
