Saudi Cabinet Approves National IP Policy

The Saudi Cabinet has approved a National Intellectual Property Policy that establishes a unified national framework for protecting intellectual property rights, with the goal of supporting innovation, creativity, foreign investment, and the growth of the knowledge economy.

The policy is built around several core pillars: awareness and education, the generation of intellectual property, its management and registration, respect and enforcement of rights, and the commercial exploitation and commercialization of IP assets. Its scope spans public awareness campaigns, procedures for registering IP rights, enforcement mechanisms, and guidance on managing and commercializing intangible assets, alongside principles to improve transparency and clarity across related policies.

The measure forms part of the wider National Intellectual Property Strategy led by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), which acts as the central authority coordinating implementation and consolidating regulatory functions for the different forms of IP in the Kingdom, in line with رؤية السعودية 2030.

What it means for residents and businesses

The policy reinforces the recognition of trade names and other intangible assets as commercializable intellectual property, helping innovators, creators, and companies maximize the value of their work and attract foreign investment.

It follows a series of recent updates to the Kingdom's IP framework. A new Copyright Law was issued under Royal Decree No. M/169 and Cabinet Decision No. 560, replacing the 2003 law and modernizing the framework for the digital age and creative industries; it enters into force on 12 August 2026. SAIP is to issue the implementing regulations within 180 days of the law's issuance, expected to take effect alongside the law.

Other recent changes include amendments to the Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs Law — extending industrial design protection to 15 years and introducing annual fee payments due at the start of each year, with different intervals for designs registered under the Hague Agreement.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving