Article 41 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 41 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Antiquities may not be copied, and models of them may not be made for commercial purposes, without a license from the Authority; the regulations set the conditions and provisions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز نسخ الآثار، أو صنع نماذج لها لأغراض تجارية إلا بعد الحصول على ترخيص من الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح شروط وأحكام ذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 41 explained in plain English
This article regulates the activity of copying antiquities and making models of them.
- Acts covered:
- Copying antiquities.
- Making models of them.
- The restriction: it applies where this is done for commercial purposes.
- The condition: obtaining a license from the Authority before starting.
- The details: the regulations set out the conditions and provisions.
The rule covers "antiquities" in general, including immovable and movable ones as defined in Article 1. Someone who makes replicas of rock carvings, or copies of items displayed in museums, intending to sell them, therefore needs a license.
The commercial purpose is what triggers the rule; the article does not address copying for non-commercial purposes such as study or scientific display, so no specific rule about them should be inferred from this text.
Note that the article requires a license without stating its duration or the department within the Authority to which the application is submitted; these details are left to the regulations. Anyone working in souvenirs inspired by antiquities would be wise to check whether they need a license, and to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial and corporate matters if needed.
Practical example
A start-up in AlUla plans to sell miniature models of ancient tomb facades to tourists. It may not make these models for commercial purposes until it has obtained a license from the Authority under the conditions set out in the regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 41 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can I make copies of antiquities and sell them?
Antiquities may not be copied, and models of them may not be made for commercial purposes, without a license from the Authority.
Where do I find the conditions for a license to copy antiquities?
The regulations set out the conditions and provisions.
More articles on Possessing and Trading Antiquities
- Article 15
Auctions for selling movable antiquities and folk heritage pieces may not be organized except under a license from the Commission.
لا يجوز تنظيم مزادات بيع الآثار المنقولة وقطع التراث الشعبي، إلا بترخيص من الهيئة.
- Article 16
The Commission, in coordination with the competent authorities, works to recover national antiquities and helps return foreign antiquities smuggled from and to the Kingdom, under the relevant international agreements.
على الهيئة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة - أن تعمل على استعادة الآثار الوطنية، وأن تساعد على إعادة الآثار الأجنبية المهربة والمنقولة بطرق غير شرعية من المملكة وإ
- Article 30
The Commission may exchange duplicate movable antiquities, or those with similar specimens, with museums and scientific institutions inside and outside the Kingdom, and lend movable antiquities for display in international museums and exhibitions.
يجوز للهيئة تبادل الآثار المنقولة المكررة، أو التي لها نماذج مع المتاحف والمؤسسات العلمية الداخلية والخارجية، وكذلك إعارة الآثار المنقولة لعرضها في المتاحف والم
- Article 31
The Commission may accept movable antiquities offered to it as a gift or loan, and may keep or display them in the name of the person who offered them.
للهيئة قبول الآثار المنقولة التي تقدم إليها على سبيل الإهداء أو الإعارة، ولها أن تحفظها أو تعرضها باسم مقدمها.
- Article 32
The Commission may leave a movable antiquity discovered by chance in its discoverer's possession after registering it, and the discoverer may not dispose of it without the Commission's approval.
للهيئة ترك الأثر المنقول المكتشف عن طريق الصدفة في حيازة مكتشفه بعد تسجيله، ولا يجوز لمكتشفه التصرف فيه دون موافقة الهيئة.
- Article 33
Restoring movable antiquities for commercial purposes may not be practiced except after obtaining a license from the Commission, and the regulations set out the controls for this.
لا تجوز مزاولة نشاط ترميم الآثار المنقولة لأغراض تجارية إلا بعد الحصول على ترخيص من الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح ضوابط ذلك.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.