Depending on the kind of design, industrial designs may also be protected as works of art under copyright law. For example, if you have created a unique design, the design itself would be protected as a work of art under copyright law. However, if you plan to use to incorporate this unique design into a necklace pendant that you sell, you would want to also protect it under an Industrial Design for this specific use of the design in a product.

An industrial design right protects only the appearance or aesthetic features of a product. In principle, an industrial design right does not protect the technical or functional features of a product.

In Saudi Arabia, 3D marks are not registrable. 

Yes, if they are new and have characteristics that distinguish them from the known industrial designs.

Official design search is not possible at the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

Absolute worldwide novelty.

No, design applications are examined as to formalities only.

It is not allowed to file multiple designs in one application.

Yes, in case of claiming priority.

Yes, the priority can be claimed in Saudi Arabia within six months, calculated from the day following the date of filing of the first application. The Power of Attorney and the certified copy of the priority document may belatedly be filed within three months from the filing date. 

It may be filed in the form of drawings or photographs.

The minimum of views must be 5 views (i.e. right, left, top, bottom, and perspective views).

Yes, Locarno Classification.

Yes.

Yes.

The Copyright law states: " In general, protection under this law shall cover authors of classified works whose mode of expression is either written, sound, painting, photography or motion.

The period of copyright protection for the author of the classified work shall be his lifetime and a period of fifty years after his death.

Any printed materials or computer programs can be distributed in Saudi Arabia only after receiving the approval of the Ministry of Information. For this purpose, a local distributor is essential. The distributor should obtain the necessary approval locally. Upon obtaining the said approval by the local distributor, the copyrighted item will be deposited at King Fahd's National Library and the registration will be made without delay.

Penalty may include imprisonment and/or fine, seizure of the unauthorized publications, and closure of the infringing shops.

Yes. The following are not protected:
1- Judiciary regulations and sentences, resolutions of administrative committees, international agreements, and any other official documents. Official translations of such texts are also excluded, however, special rules concerning the handling of such documents are observed.
2. Daily news items or events that are characterized as news developments, which are published by newspapers, magazines, and periodicals (including radio and television).

No. But the transfer agreements should be made in writing specifying the scope of the transferred rights.

No. But the license agreements should be made in writing specifying the scope of the licensed rights.

No.

Copyright protection arises automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It does not need to be registered, published, or have a copyright notice on it. However, the period of protection varies depending on the owner and/or kind of the copyrighted work.

Yes, it is protected.

An infringement action may be filed before the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

It is considered copyright infringement to use someone else's work without permission. However, there are provisions under the Saudi Copyright Law permitting limited use of copyright works without the owner’s authorization (i.e. for personal use, etc...)

No, you cannot.

Ensuring your work is properly marked with the © symbol and registering your work before the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).