Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has become the 99th country to join the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) announced. The Hague System provides a streamlined process for securing design protection across multiple countries or regions.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the system is intended to assist creative individuals in promoting and marketing their designs while ensuring regional and international protection. This accession highlights the Kingdom's commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, which are essential for strengthening the national economy.
Saudi Arabia's membership, as the largest economy in the Middle East, demonstrates the country's dedication to innovation. It also enhances the Hague System's position as a global solution for protecting design rights and encourages broader adoption throughout the region.
Chief Executive Officer of SAIP Abdulaziz Al-Swailem stated that joining the Hague System will greatly simplify the process of protecting designs for their owners. It enables them to register their designs in member countries of their choice, facilitating effective marketing and sales while ensuring robust protection and management across various jurisdictions with minimal procedures.
Saudi Arabia has deposited its instrument of accession to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement, which will take effect in the Kingdom on April 7, 2025. Saudi Arabia has been a member of WIPO since 1982.