SAIP approves regulations for using names of Saudi Arabia, cities as trademarks

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s flag

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property’s (SAIP) approved four regulations for the use of the name "Saudi Arabia" and the names of cities, regions, and public places in the Kingdom as trademarks.

The approved regulations stipulate that the registration applicant should be a government entity or an entity regulated by a specific organization. Alternatively, the trademark should be associated with a large, qualitative, and distinctive real estate or service project. The name "Saudi Arabia" should be one component of the trademark, but not its essential element.

Similarly, it is required that the name of the city, region, or public place should be one component of the trademark and not its essential element. Additionally, the use of city, region, and public place names in the trademark should not create confusion regarding the origin or source of goods or services.

SAIP affirmed that these regulations apply to requests for the transfer of ownership of registered trademarks in accordance with the regulations or any other regulatory actions. They also apply to requests for the registration of any trademark that includes the name "Saudi Arabia," "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," or any symbol, sign, or meaning indicating the country in Arabic or any other language.

A trademark that bears the name of a city, region, or public place may be registered if it has another meaning besides the name of the geographic area and is used seriously for that meaning. The registered trademark owner must adhere to these regulations to avoid harming or tarnishing the image or reputation of the Kingdom or cities, regions, and public places.

SAIP also emphasized that the registration of a trademark based on these regulations does not grant the trademark owner an exclusive right to the name used in it. It does not also authorize the trademark owner to prevent others from using the name. Registration of the certification mark or collective mark, requested for registration as a geographical indication is allowed. These regulations apply to trademark registration requests that have not been decided upon before the issuance of the regulations.