Each trader shall adopt a trade name to be recorded for him in the Commercial Register. That name shall consist of the trader's name in the Civil Register, an innovative name, or both. It may also contain data related to the type of trade/activity allocated to that name. Also, the name shall be appropriate and may not be confusing or deceptive, neither shall it be contrary to the rules of Islamic law or harmful to the public interest.

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, the name of the Company shall be its trade name and may include an innovative name or data relating to the type of trade it exercises.

The trade name shall include Arabic or Arabized words and shall not include any foreign words; except for the names of the foreign companies registered abroad, companies of wellknown international names and companies with joint (mixed) capital issued by a Decree of the Minister of Commerce.

The application for registering the trade name shall be submitted on the form prepared for that purpose to one of the Commercial Registry Offices in the Kingdom, each within the jurisdiction of the concerned party or an official representative thereof. The original and copy of the power of attorney shall be kept with the application at the Commercial Registry Office.

The registration application shall include the following data:

• 1. The applicant's name according to the civil register, as well as his place of residence and nationality. If the applicant is a company, its name and premises address shall be clarified.

• 2. If the application is submitted by a representative, his name, address and civil registration number shall be mentioned.

• 3. The trade name.

• 4. The type of activity practiced by the merchant under the trade name.

• 5. The address of the premises where the merchant carries out his activity under that trade name.

• 6. Signature of the applicant, his representative or the person entitled to sign on behalf of the company.

The Commercial Registry Office shall examine the application and, before deciding on it, shall instruct the concerned party to complete what is deemed necessary to accept the application or to introduce any amendments required to the trade name to be distinguished from others and to clarify it in such a manner as to avoid confusion with any previous trade name.

The Commercial Registry Office shall decide on the application within thirty days from the date of its submission. If the Office finds that the application is not in accordance with the provisions of the Law and Regulations, it shall notify the applicant in writing that his application is rejected, explaining the reasons, and the concerned party may appeal to the Minister of Commerce within thirty days of the date of notification.

The concerned person shall be notified in writing of the Decree of the Minister in writing, and if his objection is rejected, he shall appeal the Decree of the Minister before the Board of Grievances within thirty days from the date of notification thereof.

Upon acceptance of the application, the Commercial Registry Office shall prepare a declaration including the following statements:

• 1. The applicant's name according to the civil register, as well as his place of residence and nationality, and if the applicant is a company, its name and premises address shall be clarified.

• 2. Commercial name.

• 3. Type of trade practiced by the merchant under the trade name.

• 4. The address of the premises where the merchant carries out his trade under that trade name.

The applicant shall publish the announcement in the Official Gazette and another local newspaper, at his expense, within thirty days from the date of receipt. Otherwise, he shall be deemed to have waived his application. That period may be renewed upon the applicant submitting a request by the end of the said period and the head of the Commercial Registry Office in Riyadh or the director of the Ministry's branch approved the reasons for renewal.

The trade name shall be registered after announcement in the Commercial Register and the owner shall be given, upon registration, a certificate that includes the following data:

• 1. Registration number.

• 2. Registration date.

• 3. Trade name.

• 4. Name of the owner of the trade name according to the civil register, as well as his place of residence and nationality. If the owner of the name is a company, its name and premises' address shall be mentioned.

• 5. Type of trade conducted by the merchant under that trade name.

• 6. Address of the premises where the merchant conducts his trade under that trade name.