Who is Eligible for Patent Registration Saudi Arabia
Any applicant named in the international PCT application may enter the national phase. This includes:
- Individual inventors
- Corporate entities
- Universities and research institutions
- Joint applicants
Foreign applicants must appoint a registered Saudi patent agent through a properly executed Power of Attorney (POA).
A formal assignment from inventors to applicants is generally not required at the time of National Phase Filing unless requested by SAIP to clarify ownership. However, an assignment may be submitted if ownership transfer is not already evident in the PCT documents.
Deadline for Register Patent in Saudi Arabia(30-Month Rule)
Saudi Arabia follows the 30-month deadline from the earliest priority date for entering the national phase. All filing materials, translations, and required forms must be submitted on or before this deadline.
Late Filing or Extensions After 30 Months
Saudi Arabia does not allow late entry or reinstatement after the 30-month period. The deadline is strict and non-extendible.
If the deadline is missed, the opportunity to obtain patent protection through the PCT route is permanently lost.
Filing language for Patent Registration in Saudi Arabia
Patent applications filed through the national phase in Saudi Arabia must be submitted in:
- Arabic (primary and legally controlling language)
- English (optional but recommended, especially for technical fields)
If the Arabic translation is not ready at the time of national phase entry, SAIP typically allows filing with at least a preliminary Arabic version, followed by a final complete translation. The Arabic translation governs the interpretation and enforceability of the patent.
Documents Required for Patent Registration Saudi Arabia
Applicants must submit the following documents to complete national phase entry:
Core Application Documents
- Full PCT specification (description, claims, abstract, drawings)
- Arabic translation of the entire specification
- Applicant and inventor details
Legal Documents
- Power of Attorney (POA): Must be notarized and fully legalized through Apostille or consular authentication. The original legalized POA can generally be submitted within a grace period after filing.
- Assignment (if required): Not mandatory unless ownership is unclear. If requested, it must be notarized and legalized.
- Corporate Documentation: If the applicant is a legal entity, a certificate of incorporation or trademark registry extract may be required. A simple copy is generally accepted, but an Arabic translation may be needed.
Priority Documents
If not already available in the PCT system, SAIP may request a certified copy and/or an Arabic translation.
Search and Examination Procedure
All national phase patent applications in Saudi Arabia undergo substantive examination, during which SAIP evaluates:
- Patentability Search
- Inventive step
- Industrial applicability
- Clarity and unity of claims
- Compliance with Saudi legal provisions
- Correctness of translations and formal documents
The examination system is aligned with international patentability standards and involves a detailed review by qualified examiners.
Examination Process and Office Actions
SAIP may issue:
- Formal Office Actions: Addressing issues such as missing documents, translation inconsistencies, POA deficiencies, or formatting errors.
- Substantive Office Actions: Addressing novelty, inventive step, clarity, or subject-matter eligibility objections.
Applicants typically must respond within a stated period. Failure to respond results in abandonment.
Deadline for Requesting Examination
Unlike some jurisdictions, examination is normally requested automatically or in conjunction with national phase entry. However, in cases where a separate examination request is required, it must be submitted within SAIP’s prescribed timeframe, typically shortly after filing.
Publication and Legal Impact
After initial acceptance, SAIP publishes the application in the official patent gazette. Publication provides:
- Public disclosure of the invention
- Establishment of prior art against later applications
- Limited provisional protection
Although publication does not grant enforceable rights, it serves as notice to third parties and may deter infringement.
Grant Process and Enforceability
Once substantive examination is complete, and all objections are resolved:
- SAIP issues a notice of allowance.
- The applicant pays the grant and publication fees.
- The patent is officially granted and published as granted.
Upon grant, the patent becomes fully enforceable in Saudi Arabia, enabling the owner to:
- Prevent unauthorized use, manufacture, sale, or import
- Seek injunctions
- Claim damages
- Record license agreements
- Request customs enforcement to block infringing imports
Patent Validity Term
A Saudi patent remains valid for 20 years from the PCT international filing date, provided annuities are continuously paid.
Typical Timeframe to Obtain a Patent in Saudi
The average time from national phase entry to patent grant in Saudi Arabia is approximately 3 to 5 years, depending on:
- Examination backlog
- Technical complexity
- Number of office actions
- Quality of translation and responses
Annuities and Maintenance
Saudi Arabia requires annual annuity fees to maintain a pending or granted patent.
Key points:
- Annuities are due every calendar year, typically in the first quarter.
- A grace period with a surcharge is available.
- Non-payment results in patent lapse and loss of rights.
Official Government Fees for Patent Registration Saudi Arabia
(Generic fee ranges provided — exact fees vary by year, claim count, and applicant type.)
National Phase Filing Fees
| Fee Type | Description |
| National phase filing fee | Standard fee payable at filing |
| Excess claims fee | Charged per claim above the basic allowance |
| Excess claims fee | Charged for lengthy specifications |
| Translation verification fee | Based on the volume of Arabic translation |
Examination and Grant Fees
| Fee Type | Description |
| Substantive examination fee | Charged at the examination stage |
| Grant fee | Payable upon acceptance |
| Publication fee | Required for publishing the granted patent |
Annuity Fees
| Period | Fee Notes |
| Years 1–5 | Lower-tier fees |
| Years 6-10 | Mid-tier fees |
| Years 11-20 | Higher-tier fees |
| Grace period | Available with a surcharge |
Utility Model Protection in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia does not currently provide a separate utility model system. All inventions are protected only through the standard patent regime.
Saudi Arabia Patent Office & Official Website
Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP):
Website: Saudi Arabia Patent Office
