Amendments to the Saudi Law on Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs entered into force on September 25, 2023. The most notable novelty is the extension of industrial design protection period from 10 to 15 years. The law has also been further harmonized with the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs.

The Regulations accompanying the law are expected to be amended, too. Overall, the amendments further reflect Saudi Arabia’s continuing advancement of its intellectual property framework.

By Sara Omran