Trademark Regulation in Saudi Arabia: A Matter of Ambiguity

Abstract

This article examines the legislative situation relating to the legal application of trademarks in Saudi Arabia. It argues that despite the significant development of trademarks in general in Saudi Arabia, there is no clear version as to the law applied. As at 2021, there are two laws in force for trademarks in Saudi Arabia: the Saudi Trademarks Law 2002 and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Trademarks Law 2014. As a result, there is room for ambiguity and uncertainty in how the legislation may be interpreted. To fully explore this issue, this article first examines the law regulating trademarks in Saudi Arabia and the authorities that are responsible for the application of that law. The article then examines the issue of the co-existence of the two laws, as well as the legal position of those GCC countries which have adopted the GCC Trademarks Law.

Keywords: Intellectual Property, Trademark, Gulf Cooperation Council, Regulation, Saudi Arabia

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/106-09

Publication date: February 28^th 2021