Trademark Protection Period in Saudi Arabia and How to Renew Step by Step

Trademark protection in Saudi Arabia lasts ten years and is renewable for further periods of the same length. A renewal application is filed online with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) before the protection period expires, in accordance with SAIP's procedures. Your mark can therefore remain protected for as long as you keep renewing it on time.

How long does trademark protection last?

A registration certificate gives the trademark owner ten years of protection, during which the owner has the exclusive right to use the mark on the registered goods and services and to prevent others from using an identical or similar mark that could mislead the public. The period is calculated from the date set by law and is shown in the mark's details on the platform. Unlike some other intellectual property rights with a fixed term, trademark protection can continue without any maximum limit as long as it is renewed.

When should I renew my trademark?

The renewal application is filed within the period set by law before protection expires. It is best not to wait until the last few days, because any issue with the owner's details, the address or the documents may take time to resolve. Good practice includes:

• Recording the expiry date in the business's calendar, with a reminder several months in advance.
• Assigning responsibility for monitoring trademarks to a specific person or a specialist firm.
• Periodically checking the contact details registered with SAIP to make sure notifications reach you.

The renewal date is also a good opportunity to review your entire trademark portfolio: Is the mark still in use? Has the logo changed? Has the business expanded into classes that are not protected? Are there marks that no longer have value and need not be renewed? This review helps you direct spending towards the protection you actually need.

What are the steps to renew a trademark?

1. Log in to the platform: through the account of the trademark owner or the accredited agent.
2. Select the mark to be renewed: and confirm its number and details.
3. Review the owner's details: if the business name or address has changed, or ownership has been transferred, you may need to update the details or record the transfer of ownership first.
4. File the renewal application: attaching any required documents, such as a power of attorney when filing through an agent.
5. Pay the fee: as set by SAIP and shown on the platform.
6. Follow up the application: until the trademark record is updated with the new protection period.

What happens if I renew late?

The rules may allow a grace period after protection expires during which the mark can still be renewed on payment of an additional fee; the length and conditions of this period are set by law and SAIP's procedures. If the grace period ends without renewal, the mark may be removed from the register, at which point you lose protection and someone else may be able to apply for a similar mark. So do not rely on a grace period: treat the expiry date as the real deadline.

A situation that often arises is that a mark is registered in the name of a person or business, and then the entity changes or the business is sold without the trademark record being updated. The new owner then discovers at renewal that the mark is not officially in their name. To avoid this, make updating the trademark record a standard part of any sale or restructuring.

Can I change the mark when renewing?

Renewal is essentially an extension of protection for the mark as registered. It is not a way to make a substantial change to its appearance or to add new goods or services. If you have substantially redesigned your logo, you may need a new application for the updated version, while keeping the old mark if it is still in use.

This is different from minor, non-substantive changes to the details, such as updating the owner's address, which can be handled through separate amendment requests under SAIP's procedures without affecting the mark itself.

What procedures are linked to renewal?

Before or during renewal, check whether you need any of the following:

• Transfer of ownership: if the mark has passed to a new owner through a sale or merger.
• Recording a licence: if you have licensed another party to use the mark.
• Updating details: when the owner's name or address changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does renewal require the mark to be examined again? A: Renewal is a procedure to continue protection, not a new registration, but SAIP checks that its requirements are met.

Q: Is a trademark renewed automatically? A: No. The owner or their agent must file a renewal application and pay the prescribed fee.

Q: Does an international registration under the Madrid system need to be renewed separately? A: Yes. An international registration is renewed under the Madrid system procedures with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), independently of renewing the national registration in Saudi Arabia.

FATIMA AL ASMARI Law & Intellectual Property Company in Jeddah tracks its clients' trademark deadlines and handles trademark renewal and trademark assignment where needed, for clients across Saudi Arabia. Book your appointment or call +966 56 685 9556.

Legal sources

This article is for general awareness and is not legal advice.