Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property decides to designate the name Saudi Arabia as public property of the state

The designation of "Saudi Arabia" as state property has been made by the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). As such, all trademark registration applications including this name are subject to the recently authorised regulations. These restrictions indicate that the applicant for trademark registration must be a governmental body, a special regulatory body, or the trademark must be connected to a noteworthy and unique real estate or service project, according to information published by the nation's official Gazette on Friday. Furthermore, rather than being the trademark's primary component, the word "Saudi Arabia" must be one of its elements.

The designation of Saudi Arabian cities, regions, and public spaces as state property is also adopted by the authority's decision. Any of these names may be used in trademark applications, but only as a component of the trademark—the name of the city, area, or public space should not be the main feature. There shouldn't be any misunderstanding regarding the source or origin of products or services if these names are used in a trademark.

The ruling states that these restrictions also extend to petitions for any other legal transaction, such as the transfer of ownership of a trademark registered in accordance with these standards. Applications for any trademark that contain the terms "Saudi Arabia," "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," or any other sign or meaning that alludes to the state in Arabic or any other language are also subject to the regulations.

If a trademark is registered with the name of a city, region, or public place and is used sincerely for that purpose and has a different meaning than the geographical term, the authority permits registration of the trademark. The owner of a registered trademark is required to make sure that its usage does not damage or distort the Kingdom's reputation or image, nor that of its cities, regions, or public areas.

The authorities made it clear that filing for trademark registration under these rules does not provide the owner of the name exclusive rights or give them the ability to stop others from using the name. It is permissible to register certification marks or collective marks as geographic indications. Applications for trademark registration that were not yet handled prior to the introduction of these rules are subject to these controls.