Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Expands Patent Prosecution Highway Partnerships and Updates IP Laws

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has officially joined the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), marking a strategic advancement in expediting patent examination processes and reducing pendency periods.

Under the PPH pilot program, applicants who receive a positive ruling on patent claims from either SAIP or IPOS can request accelerated prosecution of corresponding claims in the partner office. This framework allows both offices to leverage prior examination work, enhancing efficiency and consistency in patent grant decisions.

This latest partnership adds to SAIP’s expanding network of PPH agreements. As of January 2024, SAIP has established PPH arrangements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and the European Patent Office (EPO).

In parallel with these international cooperation efforts, Saudi Arabia has enacted significant amendments to its intellectual property laws. The Royal Decree No. (M/45), dated 10/03/1445 AH (corresponding to 25 September 2023), approved by the Council of Ministers, introduced changes to the Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs law.

The amended Patent and Industrial Design Law came into effect on 3 October 2023, bringing several key updates that impact the scope and administration of IP protection in the Kingdom.

Among the notable amendments is the incorporation of provisions allowing protection under international design applications, specifically implementing aspects of the Hague Agreement concerning industrial designs.

Fee structures have also been revised. Annual payments are now required at the beginning of each year for most filings, except for international industrial designs filed under the Hague Agreement, where fees are payable every five years.

The law explicitly extends the applicability of the Hague Agreement to international applications registering industrial designs in Saudi Arabia, aligning the Kingdom’s IP framework with global standards.

Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty from 11 to 22 November 2024. This conference aims to harmonize and simplify registration procedures for industrial designs internationally, further positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global intellectual property landscape.

These developments collectively demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing its IP system, fostering international collaboration, and enhancing protections for patent and design rights holders within its jurisdiction.