Board of Directors Decision of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property No. (14/T/2023) dated 29/04/1445 AH
The Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
Based on the powers and jurisdictions granted to it by law.
And pursuant to Article (Five) of the Statute of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property issued by Council of Ministers Decision No. (496) dated 14/9/1439 AH, as amended by Council of Ministers Decision No. (621) dated 20/10/1442 AH.
And after reviewingArticle (Two) of the Law of Trade Marksissued by Royal Decree No. (M/21) dated 28/5/1423 AH.
And after reviewingArticle (Three) of the Law of Trade Marks of the GCC countriesapproved by Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 26/7/1435 AH.
And after reviewing the related orders and decisions, and in consideration of the public interest.
It is decided as follows:
Regulations for the Use of the Name Saudi Arabia and the Names of Cities, Regions, and Public Places in the Kingdom as a Trademark
First
The name of Saudi Arabia is considered a public property of the state, and the application for the registration of a trademark that includes this name is subject to the following regulations:
1- The applicant for registration must be a government entity, or an organization that has a specific regulation issued regarding it, or the trademark must be associated with a large, distinctive, and high-quality real estate or service project.
2- The name of Saudi Arabia must be one of the components of the trademark and not the essential element of it.
Secondly
The names of cities, regions, and public places in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are considered public property of the state, and the application for the registration of a trademark that includes any of them is subject to the following regulations:
1- The name of the city, region, or public place must be one of the components of the trademark and not the essential element of it.
2- The use of the names of cities, regions, and public places in the trademark must not create confusion regarding the source or origin of the goods or services.
Thirdly
These regulations apply to requests for the transfer of ownership of the trademark - registered in accordance with these regulations - or any other legal actions.
Fourthly
These regulations apply to applications for the registration of any trademark that includes the name Saudi Arabia, or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or any reference, symbol, or meaning that indicates the state, whether in Arabic or any other language.
Fifth
A trademark that bears the name of a city, region, or public place may be registered if it has another meaning apart from the geographical name and is used seriously for that meaning.
Sixthly
The owner of the registered trademark is obligated, based on these regulations, when using it, not to harm or distort the image or reputation of the Kingdom or its cities, regions, and public places.
Seventh
The registration of a trademark based on these regulations does not grant the owner of the mark an exclusive right to the name used therein, nor does it authorize them to prevent others from using the name.
Eighth
The certification mark or collective mark that is requested to be registered as a geographical indication may be registered.
Ninth
These regulations apply to applications for the registration of trademarks that have not been decided before the issuance of the regulations.