Summary
Designs and industrial models in Saudi Arabia are governed by Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Models Law which was issued, as per Royal Decree No. M/27 dated July 17, 2004.
The law, which provides full protection for patents, layout designs of integrated circuits, plant varieties and industrial designs in KSA, was published in the Official Gazette No. 4004, dated August 6, 2004 and entered into force on September 6, 2004.
The Implementing Regulations for the aforementioned law were issued as per an administrative decision on December 26, 2004 and entered into force on the same date.
Absolute universal novelty is stipulated by the design law. However, applications are examined as to formalities only.
Protection period for industrial designs and models shall be 10 years from the date of filing the application.