How to Register an Intellectual Property Contract? 6 Steps

An intellectual property contract has become one of the most important assets owned by individuals, companies, and institutions. With innovation being a key driver of growth, the need to legally protect creative and original works has increased. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the legal framework related to intellectual property contract is evolving in line with Vision 2030, to support the knowledge economy and attract local and foreign investments. This article reviews the nature of intellectual property contract, their registration mechanism, their legal dimensions, and their relationship to real estate and commercial contracts.

What is an Intellectual Property Contract​ ?

• Intellectual property rights are an important and frequently discussed topic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, given their role in protecting innovations and creations from infringement or theft.
• These rights include a set of legal privileges granted to owners of creative ideas in fields such as literature, art, industry, and technology.
• Intellectual property takes many forms, including:
  • Patents for tangible physical products.
  • Trademarks that distinguish a product or service.
  • Copyrights, copyrights, and trade secrets.
  • Computer software, databases, technical concepts, designs, integrated circuits, and plant varieties.
  • These assets are legally owned by their owners and must be registered with the relevant authorities to ensure their protection from loss or infringement.
  • With the acceleration of technological development, the need to protect and formally register these rights has increased.
• The Kingdom responded to this challenge by establishing comprehensive legal systems to protect intellectual property, most notably:
  • Copyright Law
  • Patent Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Trade Name Law
• The importance of intellectual property protection lies in:
  •  Encouraging innovation and creativity
  • Guaranteeing the rights of inventors and investors
  • Promoting a knowledge-based economy
  • Reducing violations that could harm creators and their efforts.

Read also: Your Complete Guide to Law of Real Property Registration

Intellectual Property Registration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Registering intellectual property rights in Saudi Arabia is a fundamental step to ensure the legal protection of ideas and innovations. Such protection is only granted through official documentation and compliance with the applicable regulations.

How to Register Intellectual Property Rights?

Intellectual property rights can be registered through the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) via its official website. Once on the site, users can select the type of intellectual property they wish to register from the “Services” menu, which includes:

• Patents: For protecting new inventions
• Copyrights: For registering literary, artistic, musical, and other creative works
• Trademarks: For registering logos, company names, or product/service names
• Industrial designs: Covering the appearance and design of products
• Layout designs of integrated circuits
• Plant varieties

After selecting the appropriate category, the user is directed to log in through the National Single Sign-On (Absher) system to proceed with the registration steps.

Check out: Conditions to Buy Property in Saudi Arabia for Foreigners

Authorities Responsible for Documentation

Depending on the type of intellectual property, various official entities are responsible for registration and documentation:

• Ministry of Culture and Information: Responsible for depositing books and registering literary works
• Ministry of Commerce and Investment: Handles trademark registration and documentation
• King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST): Oversees the registration of patents and industrial property

Intellectual Property Registration Fees

Fees vary depending on the type of intellectual property. The most common fees are:

• Trademark registration fees:
  • SAR 1,000 for the examination of the application
  • SAR 500 for publication
  • SAR 5,000 for final registration and certificate issuance
• Patent registration fees:
  • SAR 400 for individuals
  • SAR 800 for companies

Intellectual Property Rights Clause in Contract​

It is essential for commercial or professional contracts to include a dedicated Intellectual Property clause, clearly stating the ownership of any intellectual or creative output resulting from the execution of the agreement. The clause should outline the rights and responsibilities regarding the use, transfer, protection, and official registration of such rights. Including this clause helps avoid legal disputes and ensures both parties’ rights are protected under a clear and enforceable legal framework.

How to Find the Best Intellectual Property Lawyer in Riyadh?

To find a licensed and specialized lawyer in intellectual property (IP) cases in Riyadh, you can use the Practicing Lawyers Directory service provided by the Saudi Ministry of Justice. This online service allows you to search for licensed attorneys, displaying their names, office addresses, and contact numbers.

This step is crucial to ensure that the lawyer you plan to hire holds an official license from the Ministry of Justice and practices law in accordance with local regulations. It is also highly recommended to verify the lawyer’s experience and expertise in the field of intellectual property, given the complexity and importance of such cases.

For those seeking top-tier legal services, we recommend reaching out to one of the leading specialists at Etqan Law Firm and Legal Consultations, where a team of seasoned lawyers is available to handle all types of IP cases including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

To contact one of the best intellectual property lawyers in Riyadh, you can call any of the following numbers:

• 056113776
• 0541110440
• 0504315333

Their team will respond to your inquiries and provide you with professional and confidential legal advice tailored to your case.

Conclusion

Finally, a legal intellectual property contract is crucial to preserving the rights of creators, innovators, and investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Whether you are registering a patent, entering into a development partnership, or protecting your trademark, the legal structure provides the necessary tools to defend your creations from any infringement. Including clear intellectual property clauses in contracts and engaging specialized lawyers helps avoid disputes and ensure fair protection.

Learn about: The Saudi Industry Forum: Etqan Law Firm at the Heart of the Event

The Etqan Al Mutamayza Law Firm can provide the necessary support. You can contact their team

through the following mobile numbers: 056113776, 0541110440, 504315333

Alternatively, you can visit our branches:

• Jeddah: Al-Aziziyah District–Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia)
• Riyadh: King Abdulaziz Street – In front of Kingdom
• Dammam: Al-Ashri’a Street, Al-Badeea, Dammam 32415.

FAQ