Saudi Arabia Trademarks

Filing Requirements:

1. Power of attorney, legalized. A general power may be used for subsequent filings.

2. Copy of priority document, if priority is claimed, certified.

3. 15 prints of the mark for each application.

* Items 1 and 3 must be submitted at the time of filing.

* Copy of the priority document must be submitted at the time of filing provided that the original must be submitted within one month from filing date.

Classification:

The International Classification of Goods and Services (9th Edition) is followed. However, class 33, alcoholic goods in class 32, pork meat in class 29, and Christmas trees and related products in class 28 can not be registered in Saudi Arabia. A separate application is required for each class.

Opposition:

Trademark applications accepted by the Registrar are published in the Official Gazette. Oppositions must be filed before the Board of Grievances (First Instance Court) within 90 days from publication date.

Extension Of Time:

Extension of time for oppositions/counter oppositions or for responding to office actions is not possible.

Protection Term:

Trademark registrations are valid for 10 Hijri years (approximately 9 years and 8 months) from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of 6 lunar months for late renewals with payment of a surcharge.

Documents Required For Renewal:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Original Saudi registration certificate of the mark for endorsement.

Use Requirements:

Use of a trademark is not required for registration or renewal of a mark. However, a trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of the mark for a period of 5 consecutive years preceding the date of filing for cancellation.

Search:

An official search may be conducted for word marks and devices. It takes approximately 3 to 7 working days for the results to be available. A separate application is required for search in each class. The search report discloses similar and identical trademark registrations.

Assignment:

* Registered trademarks may be assigned with or without the goodwill of the business concerned.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney from the assignee, legalized.
  • Deed of Assignment, legalized.
  • Original Saudi registration certificate of the mark for endorsement.

Change Of Name/Address:

* A change of name/address may be recorded for trademark registrations only.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of change of name/address, legalized.
  • Original Saudi registration certificate of the mark for endorsement.

Licensing:

* License recordal is not compulsory but advisable in order to be effective against third parties.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • License agreement, legalized.
  • Original Saudi registration certificate of the mark for endorsement.

Merger:

* A merger may be recorded for trademark registrations only.

* Documents required:

  • Power of attorney, legalized.
  • Certificate of merger, legalized.
  • Original Saudi registration certificate of the mark for endorsement.

Marking:

Marking is not compulsory.

Cancellation:

A trademark may be subject to cancellation by any interested party before the Board of Grievances if it can be established that the mark was not rightfully registered.

Registration Time Frame:

The time frame for completing the registration process is 10 to 15 months.

Three Dimensional Trademark Applications:

Unacceptable.