The short answer
Under the GCC Trademark Law as adopted in Saudi Arabia, a mark is protected for 10 years, and the law treats the mark as registered from the application date, so the term counts from filing. File the renewal in the last year of protection, or within 6 months after expiry as a last chance. Anyone can object within 60 days of publication. A court can remove a mark that was not used for 5 consecutive years.
Trademark deadlines in Saudi Arabia at a glance
These periods come from the Trademark Law of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, approved in Saudi Arabia by Royal Decree No. M/51 of 25 May 2014, in the English translation published by the Saudi Bureau of Experts. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) administers it, and its Implementing Regulations set the detailed procedure and fees. We re-check every deadline against the current Saudi text before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does protection last? | 10 years, renewable for similar periods (Article 20(1)). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The application date. A mark is deemed registered as of the date of application, and the certificate states the protection expiry date (Article 17(1)). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal application in the last year of the protection period (Article 20(1)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes, a last chance: renewal can be sought within 6 months after expiry (Article 20(2)). |
| What if I miss it? | If no renewal is filed within those 6 months, the authority removes the mark from the register (Article 20(3)). |
| Is the renewal examined? | No. It is renewed without further examination and published, whatever objections third parties make (Article 20(4)). |
| Objection period | 60 days from the date of publication, in writing. The authority sends the applicant a copy within 30 days, and the applicant has 60 days to answer, or the application is deemed abandoned (Article 14(2)). |
| Reply to restrictions or amendments | 90 days from notification, or the application is deemed abandoned (Article 12(2)). The authority decides within 90 days from submission if the conditions are met (Article 12(4)). |
| Appeal against refusal | Within 60 days to the committee, then within 60 days of its decision to the competent court. If you do not act in time the application is forfeited (Article 13). |
| Priority claim | Attach the earlier application copy and statement within 6 months of the earlier registration date, or the right is forfeited (Article 11). |
| Non-use removal | A court can order removal for 5 consecutive years of non-use, unless the owner justifies it (Article 24). |
| Assignment | Effective against third parties once noted in the Register and published (Article 27(3)). |
Who can register a trademark in Saudi Arabia
An application is submitted by the relevant party or its representative to the competent authority, on the proper form and under the Implementing Regulations (Article 8).
Representation. Foreign owners normally file through a Saudi agent. The Implementing Regulations and SAIP practice decide the exact requirements (such as the power of attorney), so we confirm them before filing.
Trademark registration process in Saudi Arabia
Search the register
- Check SAIP records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File on the proper form. Claim priority at filing with the supporting copy (Article 11).
Examination
- The authority decides within 90 days if the conditions are met, and may impose restrictions or amendments.
- You have 90 days to answer a notification (Article 12).
Publication and objection
- Once approved, the mark is published at the applicant's expense.
- Any concerned party can object within 60 days (Article 14).
Registration
- The owner receives a certificate with the registration number, dates and the protection expiry date (Article 17).
Official fees are set by the Implementing Regulations and published by SAIP, and they change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote.
Saudi Arabia trademark validity and renewal
- Protection lasts 10 years from the application date, not from the date the certificate was issued.
- The renewal application is made in the last year of protection.
- A further 6 months after expiry is allowed as a last chance. After that the mark is removed from the register.
- Renewal is not re-examined and goes ahead despite third-party objections.
Diarise the expiry date shown on the certificate, and renew in the last year. Do not plan to use the 6-month last chance.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Saudi trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
A mark can be alienated, pledged or attached, wholly or partly, with the business using it, unless agreed otherwise (Article 27(1)).
Third parties
Recordal and publication
It is effective against third parties only if noted in the Trademark Register and published (Article 27(3)).
Licence
Licence contracts
The licence term may not exceed the protection term of the mark (Article 29).
Register
Changes to the record
The register records names and addresses of owners, assignments, licences, renewals and other amendments (Article 6). Ask us for the current SAIP procedure.
Removal and non-use of a Saudi trademark
On request of any interested party, the competent court can order removal of a mark that has not been used for 5 consecutive years, unless the owner justifies the non-use (Article 24). If a mark is removed, a third party can register it for the same or similar goods or services after 3 years from removal, unless a court decision sets a shorter period (Article 25). A registrant in good faith whose mark has been used for at least 5 years without legal dispute cannot be challenged on ownership (Article 7(1)).
Keep dated proof of use in Saudi Arabia, such as invoices, packaging and advertising.
How to check a trademark in Saudi Arabia
The competent authority keeps the Trademark Register, and any interested party can examine it and obtain certified copies (Article 6). Publications for objection are made under the Implementing Regulations, and the 60-day clock runs from the publication date.
Sources used
- Trademark Law of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Royal Decree No. M/51 (25 May 2014), English translation by the Saudi Bureau of Experts: Articles 6, 7, 8, 11 to 15, 17, 20, 24, 25 and 27.
- WIPO Lex entries for the GCC Trademark Law as adopted in Saudi Arabia, including the 2021 amendment of Article 1 (Royal Decree No. M/49).
Saudi Arabia trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Saudi Arabia, and from when?
10 years, counted from the application date because the mark is deemed registered from that date (Articles 17 and 20).
When should I renew a Saudi trademark, and is there a grace period?
File in the last year of protection. You can still apply within 6 months after expiry, and after that the mark is removed (Article 20).
What is the objection period in Saudi Arabia?
60 days from the date of publication (Article 14(2)).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Saudi Arabia?
The official fee is set by the Implementing Regulations and changes. We confirm the current SAIP fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, through a representative. We confirm the current requirements, such as the power of attorney, before filing.
Can I assign a Saudi trademark?
Yes, but the assignment is effective against third parties only when noted in the Register and published (Article 27(3)).
How long do I have to answer the authority?
90 days from notification of restrictions or amendments, or the application is deemed abandoned (Article 12(2)).
Can a Saudi trademark be removed for non-use?
Yes. A court can remove a mark not used for 5 consecutive years without justification (Article 24).
What can I do if my application is refused?
Appeal within 60 days to the committee, then within 60 days of its decision to the court (Article 13).
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Yes. Attach a copy of the earlier application and a statement within 6 months of the earlier registration date, or the right is forfeited (Article 11).
Protect your brand in Saudi Arabia
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Saudi deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
