Saudi Arabia Accedes to the Madrid Protocol: Expanding Global Trademark Protection
A Centralized Route. Broader Reach. More Efficient Portfolio Management.
Saudi Arabia has officially acceded to the Madrid Protocol, marking an important development in the Kingdom’s intellectual property framework.
The Protocol will enter into force in Saudi Arabia on 8 October 2026, allowing international trademark owners to designate the Kingdom through the Madrid System. Eligible Saudi applicants will also be able to seek protection in multiple member jurisdictions through a single international application.
What Are the Main Benefits?
✅ File one international trademark application.
✅ Seek protection in several member jurisdictions.
✅ Centrally manage renewals and certain recordal procedures.
✅ Reduce the administrative burden associated with separate national filings.
An Important Point for Trademark Owners
Designating Saudi Arabia through the Madrid System will not result in automatic protection. Each designation will remain subject to examination by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) under the applicable Saudi trademark laws and may also be opposed by third parties following publication.
Saudi Arabia has declared an 18-month period for notifying WIPO of a provisional refusal and will apply an individual fee to international designations and renewals. Further procedural guidance is expected before the Protocol enters into force.
This development provides businesses with an additional and more centralized route for protecting their trademarks internationally. However, the appropriate filing strategy should still be assessed in light of the applicant’s markets, portfolio and local registration risks.
One World Intellectual Property is ready to assist trademark owners with filing strategies, Saudi designations, provisional refusals, oppositions and international portfolio management.
For further details, please refer to the official WIPO Madrid Notification No. 243. or contact us at: [email protected]
