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A trademark is often the most valuable intangible asset a startup owns, yet it remains exposed to imitation or registration by others until it is registered. Trademark registration in Saudi Arabia is done online with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), under the GCC Trademark Law as applied in the Kingdom.
In this article, we explain what can be registered, the practical steps, the fees published on SAIP’s website, the publication and opposition periods, and the protection period and how to renew it.
What Can Be Registered as a Trademark?
Article 2 of the law defines a trademark as anything with a distinctive form that is used, or intended to be used, to distinguish the goods or services of one establishment from those of others, such as names, words, letters, numbers, drawings, symbols, seals, packaging, colors or combinations of these. Sound marks and scent marks may also be included.
Marks That Cannot Be Registered
Article 3 lists the grounds for refusal. The most notable include:
- A mark that lacks any distinctive character, or that consists only of the common name of the goods or services.
- Anything contrary to public morals or public order, or identical to symbols of a purely religious nature.
- Emblems, flags and official symbols of states and organizations.
- Another person’s name, image or emblem without their prior consent.
- A mark identical or similar to a mark already filed or registered for identical or similar goods or services, where this is likely to cause confusion.
- Well-known marks or their translations, subject to the conditions set out in the law.
Steps for Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property
- Prior search for similar marks in SAIP’s databases, and a precise definition of the goods and services on which the mark will be used.
- Log in to SAIP’s platform through the National Single Sign-On (Nafath) or by email, and submit a new application as the owner, the interested party, or the owner of the establishment.
- Pay the examination invoice. SAIP then examines the application and issues a decision to accept it, accept it subject to amendment, or reject it.
- Amendment, if required: the applicant is given 90 days to make the amendment; otherwise, the application is deemed abandoned.
- Publication: after acceptance, the publication invoice is issued and the mark is published for 60 days.
- Certificate: if the publication period ends without opposition, the final invoice must be paid within 30 days of its issue, after which the certificate is printed from the system.
SAIP states that the service completion time is 90 days. Government entities and companies need an authorization from the person with signing authority, and if the application is filed by an agent, the agent must be listed in the register of trademark registration agents.
Trademark Registration for a Sole Proprietorship
The service is open to both individuals and establishments, and the owner of a sole proprietorship can apply in their capacity as the establishment’s owner. It is advisable to keep the owner’s details in the application consistent with the commercial register details, to avoid problems when dealing with the mark later on.
Trademark Registration Fees
According to the service page on SAIP’s website as we reviewed it on October 21, 2026:
| Stage | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Registration application (filing and examination) | SAR 1,000 |
| Publication after acceptance | SAR 500 |
| Registration and certificate issuance | SAR 5,000 |
Fees are subject to change and may vary depending on the number of classes or the type of application, so we recommend checking the trademark registration service page on SAIP’s website immediately before filing.
Opposing a Mark After Publication
Any interested party may file a written opposition within sixty days of the publication date. SAIP notifies the applicant of the opposition, and the applicant must respond in writing within sixty days of notification; otherwise, the application is deemed abandoned (Article 14). Either party may challenge SAIP’s decision before the competent court within thirty days of notification (Article 15).
Protection Period and Trademark Renewal
- A registered mark is protected for ten years, and the owner may apply for renewal during the final year for equal periods (Article 20).
- There is a six-month grace period after expiry to file the renewal application.
- If the grace period ends without renewal, SAIP removes the mark from the register.
- Renewal takes place without a new examination, and third parties have no right to oppose it.
Registration also has important effects: it takes effect from the filing date, and the owner has the right to prevent others from using an identical or similar mark for similar goods or services where this is likely to cause confusion (Article 17). On the other hand, the court may cancel a mark that has not been put to genuine use for five consecutive years without an acceptable excuse (Article 24).
Protecting Your Mark After Registration
The law sets penalties for counterfeiting, imitating or using a registered mark in bad faith, including imprisonment and fines under Articles 42 and 43, which may be doubled, together with closure of the business premises, for repeat offenses. In practice, protection starts with following the official publications, monitoring similar marks and opposing them on time.
Illustrative Example
An online store started selling personal care products under a distinctive name without registering it, then was surprised by a competitor’s application to register a similar name. Regular monitoring of publications would have allowed it to oppose within the sixty-day period, instead of resorting to a longer and more costly lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a trademark protected?
Ten years, renewable for equal periods, with a six-month grace period after expiry.
What happens if my application is accepted subject to amendment and I do not amend it?
According to the service page, if the application is not amended within 90 days, it becomes an abandoned application.
How Can We Help You Protect Your Mark?
The intellectual property team at Alburhan Law Firm provides prior searches and registrability assessments, prepares and follows up on applications, and handles oppositions against similar marks and challenges to decisions. You can contact us to review your mark before launching it.
Official sources: Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and the text of the GCC Trademark Law on the Bureau of Experts website.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your situation.
Need advice in this area? Intellectual Property – Alburhan Law Firm
