Have you developed a new technical solution and want the right to exploit it to remain yours alone? At Alfkr Intellectual Property, we handle patent registration in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), from assessing the patentability of the invention and searching the prior art, to drafting, filing and following up the application until the grant decision. The service is aimed at individual inventors, entrepreneurs, and companies and research centers that see their innovation as an asset worth protecting and investing in, inside and outside the Kingdom. We work in both Arabic and English and can assist foreign companies seeking patent protection in Saudi Arabia.
Why Do You Need a Specialist for Patent Registration in Saudi Arabia?
A patent gives its owner the right to prevent others from making, selling, using or importing the protected product without permission, but the strength of that right is determined by what is written in the application. These are the main reasons why engaging a specialist is a practical decision:
- The claims define the boundaries of your right: A claim that is too broad may be refused because it covers the prior art, and one that is too narrow is easy for a competitor to design around.
- No new matter can be added after filing: An incomplete description cannot be remedied later and may weaken the entire application.
- Early disclosure may destroy novelty: Publishing a video or presenting the idea at an exhibition or competition before filing may make it part of the prior art.
- Deadlines do not wait: The priority period, deadlines for remedying deficiencies, and annual fees are all dates that, if missed, can lead to losses that are hard to reverse.
What We Offer
- A consultation to assess whether the innovation is protectable under the Patent Law and to analyze the feasibility of filing.
- Searching for prior patents and published technologies, to analyze novelty and inventive step and determine whether the invention conflicts with existing patents.
- Drafting the abstract, full description and claims in line with local and international standards.
- Filing the application with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, or internationally under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
- Preparing technical and legal responses to examiners’ observations, and following up throughout examination until grant.
- Tracking annual fees and statutory deadlines so that the application or patent does not lapse.
- Building strategies for licensing the patent or transferring its technology, and designing internal policies for managing innovation rights in companies and research centers.
- Legal representation in patent infringement cases or oppositions.
How We Work With You
- Introductory meeting and confidentiality agreement: You present your invention to us, and we make an initial assessment of whether it represents a patentable technical solution.
- Prior art search: We search patent databases and published literature, and provide you with a report of the findings and an opinion on the application’s prospects.
- Preparing the application documents: The abstract, full description, claims and drawings, if any, reviewed with you before filing.
- Filing and paying the fee: The application is filed electronically on SAIP’s unified platform, and once the filing fee is paid, an application number and filing date are issued, from which the term of protection and priority are calculated.
- Formal examination: If SAIP requests that a deficiency be remedied, the deadline is 90 days from notification, failing which the application is deemed never to have been filed.
- Publication and substantive examination: The application is published within 18 months of filing, then examined for novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability; we handle responses to observations and amend the claims where needed.
- The decision and beyond: On grant, we follow up annual fees and the protection of the patent in the market with you; on refusal, we consider a grievance before the competent committee, whose decisions may be challenged before the Board of Grievances within 60 days of notification.
The law does not set an overall time frame for grant; it varies depending on the technical field, the complexity of the application and the number of examination observations.
Is your invention patentable? Present your idea to our team before any publication or public presentation, and get a free initial consultation.
International PCT Patents: Protection Outside the Kingdom
A Saudi patent protects you only within the Kingdom, and there is no single patent that protects you in every country in the world. We therefore help you choose the most suitable route: filing in specific countries within the 12-month priority period from the first filing, or filing an international application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which gives you more time before entering the national phases in the countries you choose. SAIP is a receiving office for international applications from nationals and residents.
Official Fees and Timelines
| Item | Value According to Official Sources |
|---|---|
| Patent application filing fee | SAR 400 for individuals, and SAR 800 for businesses |
| Term of patent protection | 20 years from the filing date of the application, non-renewable, and subject to payment of annual fees |
| Annual fees | Paid at the beginning of each year starting from the year following filing, and doubled if payment is three months late |
| Deadline for remedying formal examination deficiencies | 90 days from notification |
| Publication of the application | Within 18 months of the filing date |
| Right of priority | 12 months from the first filing |
| Entry into the national phase in the Kingdom via the PCT | 30 months from the priority date, with an Arabic translation |
The governing law today is the Law of Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Designs, as amended up to Royal Decree No. (M/45) dated 10/03/1445 AH. Government fees are subject to change, so we verify them with SAIP before each filing; our professional fees are separate and we set them out for you in writing before we begin.
Note: On 20 October 2026, the Council of Ministers approved a new Law of Patents and Utility Models and a separate Designs Law, whose texts have not yet been published. The current law remains in force until the new law takes effect, so there is no need to postpone filing, as protection is calculated from the filing date.
Why Alfkr Intellectual Property?
- Specialized in intellectual property: We work in patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and trade secrets, so we see your invention within the full picture of protection for your product.
- Clarity at every step: Detailed reports and direct, ongoing communication at every stage.
- A partner, not just a client: Individual attention to every file and close follow-up, instead of a one-size-fits-all service.
- From protection to investment: After grant, we help you license the patent or transfer its technology to turn it into a value-generating asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fees for registering a patent in Saudi Arabia?
The application filing fee at SAIP is SAR 400 for individuals and SAR 800 for businesses, followed by examination, grant, publication and annual fees according to the fee schedule. Fees are subject to change, and drafting and follow-up fees are separate from them.
How long does patent protection last?
Twenty years from the filing date of the application under the current law, provided the annual fees are paid on time; the term is non-renewable.
Do I need a prototype to register an invention?
The law does not require a prototype, but it does require the invention to be a specific technical solution described sufficiently for it to be carried out. An abstract idea or a business plan is not considered an invention.
Can I present my invention to an investor before filing?
The safest course is to file the application first, because public disclosure may cause the invention to lose novelty. If you must discuss it before filing, make sure you have a written non-disclosure agreement.
Does a Saudi patent protect me outside the Kingdom?
No, protection is territorial. You can file in other countries within 12 months while retaining priority, or file an international application under the PCT and then enter the national phase in the selected countries.
Will the new law affect my application?
The Council of Ministers approved the new law on 20 October 2026, but its text, effective date and transitional provisions have not yet been published. The current law applies until then, and we will review the text as soon as it is published to explain its effect on your file.
Start protecting your invention today. Contact us Sunday to Thursday, from 10 AM to 6 PM, on +966504644436 or by email at info@alfkr.com.
Related Services
- Trademark Registration in Saudi Arabia
- International Trademark Registration (Madrid)
- Copyright Protection and Registration of Works
- Industrial Design Registration
- IP Enforcement and Anti-Counterfeiting
The content of this page is general awareness information and does not constitute legal advice on your case.