In brief
Protects inventions, integrated-circuit layout designs, plant varieties and industrial designs in the Kingdom: conditions, application and examination, term of protection, licensing and infringement.
Summary of the law
Key points
- A patent lasts twenty years from filing, a design certificate ten years, and a plant variety patent twenty years (Article 19).
- An applicant may claim the priority of an earlier application filed within the priority period (Article 10), so file in the Kingdom promptly after filing abroad.
Practical tip
- If the subject matter was taken from someone else's right, that person may claim the application or document (Article 7); record ownership of inventions in employment and development contracts.
A plain-language summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm, focused on the violations and problems that come up most in daily life. It is not a substitute for the official text or for legal advice.
What it covers
- Conditions of protection
- Application, examination and priority
- Term of protection
- Licensing and infringement
Timeline
- Issued: Royal Decree M/27 · 29/5/1425H
Full record of amendments and regulations at the official source
Official text at the Bureau of Experts
The authoritative text is in Arabic; the Bureau of Experts publishes English translations for some laws.
Full official text
The full official text is in Arabic and is reproduced on the Arabic version of this page, as published by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers. Read the full Arabic text
Library content is simplified general information for awareness only. It is not legal advice and does not replace the official text. Laws change: always check the official source and consult a lawyer before acting. Library data last reviewed: .