Saudi Arabia launches new agency to combat IP crime

Saudi Arabia established a new intellectual property prosecutor's office on February 14, 2023, marking Saudi Arabia's increased efforts to crack down on intellectual property crimes. Its jurisdiction includes patents, integrated circuit schematic designs, new plant varieties and industrial product designs. The agency will investigate cases of intellectual property infringement and initiate criminal prosecutions. This is also part of the National Intellectual Property Strategy launched in December 2022, which aims to provide a good environment for the development of intellectual property and judicial services.

The agency will simplify procedures for criminal cases related to intellectual property rights, with a focus on intellectual property cases involving infringement of trademark and copyright laws.