Reforming Saudi Arabian Intellectual Property Law

Abstract

Intellectual property refers to the creativity and valuable creations of the mind. Intellectual property is like other property in terms of the right to own and benefits from it, as well as to prevent others from dealing with it without prior permission. However, intellectual property has a unique character since it is considered as an intangible asset. The most prominent areas of intellectual property are Copyright, Trademark, Trade Secret and Patent. It is important to have a law that protects intellectual property rights so as not to waste the rightful owners’ efforts and investments of time and money in vain. However, more important than the existence of the law is the effective application of it that produces positive results. Saudi Arabia renewed its intellectual property laws at the beginning of the twenty-first century; Law of Trademarks (2002), Copyright Law (2003) and Law of Patents, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs (2004) to comply with international standards for the Protection of Intellectual Property. This thesis studies intellectual property law in Saudi Arabia by highlighting the position of Shariah on intellectual property rights as the basic rule of governance in Saudi Arabia, current intellectual property laws, international intellectual property conventions which Saudi Arabia is a signatory for, and the extent to which intellectual property laws are applied in Saudi Arabia.