Saudi Arabia joined Paris Convention Agreement and Berne Agreement

Saudi Arabia has joined the Paris Convention for Industrial Property as well as the Berne Agreement. Its accession came into effect as of 11 March, 2004.

 Effects on Trademarks

Saudi Arabia has entered a reservation with regard to item " Four "of Article (4), and item “ One “ of Article (7) of the Convention for not accepting the registration of goods and products falling under class 33.

 Effects on Patents

Disclosed patents filed between 7 February 2004 and 10 March 2004 will not be received. Moreover, Patent applications with claiming priority exceeding 12 months filed after the effective date of 11 March 2004, will be rejected.

Berne Agreement

Now copyright protection in Saudi Arabia is guided by Berne Agreement Principles, while it entered a reservation with regard to clause (1) of item “ First “ of Article (2) of Berne Agreement not to protect the Artistic works and Literary compilations  prohibited by Sharia “ Islamic law “.