Geographical Indications Protection Law

Purpose and scope

• Protects geographical indications and prevents unauthorised use or imitation (Article 2); it covers registered national indications and foreign ones protected in their country of origin or under treaties (Article 3).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• An indication must not conflict with public order and morals or with the Kingdom's international obligations (Article 5).
• An application to the authority must show that the product is linked to an area to which its quality or reputation is essentially due (Article 6), with a usage guide describing the product and its production (Article 8).
• Registration gives the applicant no exclusive right; all producers in the area who meet the usage guide may use it (Article 12).
• Registration lasts ten years from publication of approval and is renewable (Article 13).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Deliberate unlawful commercial use or imitation of an indication: imprisonment of one month to three years and a fine of five thousand to one million riyals, or either (Article 21).
• A repeat offence within three years of a final judgment counts as recidivism (Article 22).
• The court may confiscate tools and destroy infringing products at the convicted person's expense (Article 23).

Procedures and key deadlines

• A refusal of registration may be challenged before the committee within sixty days of notification, then before the competent court within sixty days (Article 11).
• An interested party may ask the competent court for precautionary measures such as a detailed description and seizure (Article 20).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.