Article 2 of the Saudi Copyright Law
المادة 2 من نظام حماية حقوق المؤلف
The article protects every original work in literature, the arts and sciences whatever its type, form of expression, importance or purpose, giving examples such as software and the title of an original work.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحمي هذا النظام المصنفات المبتكرة في الآداب والفنون والعلوم، أيًّا كان نوع هذه المصنفات، أو طريقة التعبير عنها، أو أهميتها، أو الغرض من تأليفها؛ مثل:
1 - المواد المكتوبة كالكتب، والكتيبات، وغيرها.
2 - المصنفات التي تلقى شفهيًّا كالمحاضرات، والخطب، والأشعار، والأناشيد، وما يماثلها.
3 - المؤلفات المسرحية، والتمثيليات، والاستعراضات، ونحو ذلك من العروض التي تؤدى بالحركة، أو بالصوت، أو بهما معًا.
4 - المصنفات التي تعد خصيصًا لتذاع ، أو تعرض بواسطة الإذاعة.
5 - أعمال الرسم، وأعمال الفن التشكيلي ، والعمارة، والفنون الزخرفية، والحياكة الفنية، ونحوها.
6 - المصنفات السمعية ، والسمعية البصرية.
7 - أعمال الفنون التطبيقية سواء أكانت حرفية أم صناعية.
8 - أعمال التصوير الفوتوغرافي، أو ما يماثله.
9 - الصور التوضيحية، والخرائط الجغرافية، والتصاميم، والمخططات، والرسوم (الكروكية)، والأعمال التشكيلية المتصلة بالجغرافيا، والطبوغرافيا، وفن العمارة والعلوم.
10 - المصنفات المجسمة المتعلقة بالجغرافيا، أو الطبوغرافيا، أو العمارة، أو العلوم.
11 - برمجيات الحاسب الآلي.
12 - تشمل الحماية كذلك عنوان المصنف إذا كان متميزًا بطابع ابتكاري، ولم يكن لفظًا جاريًا للدلالة على موضوع المصنف .
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 2 explained in plain English
This article sets the general rule: the law protects original works in literature, the arts and sciences, and it does not matter what type the work is, how it is expressed, how important it is or why it was written. The basic requirement is originality, meaning that the work is the creation of its maker.
The article then gives examples by way of illustration, not limitation (as the word "such as" shows), including:
- Written materials such as books and booklets.
- Oral works such as lectures, speeches, poems and chants.
- Plays, dramatic works and shows, and works prepared specially for broadcasting.
- Drawing, plastic arts, architecture, decorative arts and artistic needlework, and works of handicraft or industrial applied art.
- Audio and audiovisual works, and photographic works and the like.
- Illustrations, maps, designs, plans, sketches and models relating to geography, topography, architecture or science.
- Computer software.
Protection extends to the title of the work on two conditions: that it is distinguished by an original character, and that it is not a common expression ordinarily used to indicate the subject of the work. A general title such as "Principles of Accounting" is therefore usually not protected because it merely describes the subject.
Article 1 defines a work as any literary, scientific or artistic work, and Article 3 completes this list with derivative works such as translations and original databases. A person who needs to assess whether their work is protected may consult a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property and copyright.
Practical example
An architect in Jeddah designs an original plan for a residential villa and then finds another office using the same plan. The plan is among the works the article expressly lists as protected, so the architect enjoys the protection of the law for his original work.
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 2 of the Saudi Copyright Law
Is computer software protected by the Copyright Law?
Yes. The article expressly states that computer software is among the protected works.
Does the law protect the title of a book?
It protects the title of a work if it is distinguished by an original character and is not a common expression used to indicate the subject of the work.
Does a work have to be important or commercial to be protected?
No. Protection covers original works whatever their type, form of expression, importance or purpose.
Are oral lectures and speeches protected?
Yes. The article lists works delivered orally, such as lectures, speeches, poems and chants, among the protected works.
More articles on Works Protected by Copyright
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms of the Copyright Law, such as work, author, publication, copying, joint work, collective work and folklore.
يقصد بالعبارات الآتية أينما وردت في هذا النظام المعاني المذكورة أمامها ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: المصنف : أي عمل أدبي، أو علمي، أو فني. المصنف المشترك : المصن
- Article 3
The article protects derivative works such as translations, summaries, commentaries, encyclopedias and original databases, without prejudice to the rights of the authors of the original works.
يحمي هذا النظام أيضاً : 1 - مصنفات الترجمة. 2 - مصنفات التلخيص ، أو التعديل، أو الشرح، أو التحقيق، أو غير ذلك من أوجه التحوير. 3 - الموسوعات، والمختارات التي تع
- Article 4
The article excludes from the law's protection laws, judgments and official documents and their official translations, daily news, and mere ideas, procedures, principles and facts.
لا تشمل الحماية المقررة بمقتضى هذا النظام: 1 - الأنظمة والأحكام القضائية ، وقرارات الهيئات الإدارية ، والاتفاقيات الدولية، وسائر الوثائق الرسمية، وكذلك الترجمات
- Article 7
The article makes folklore public property of the state with the Ministry exercising the author's rights, and prohibits importing or distributing copies or translations produced outside the Kingdom without the Ministry's license.
1- يعد التراث الشعبي ملكًا عامًّا للدولة، وتمارس الوزارة حقوق المؤلف عليه. 2- يحظر استيراد أو توزيع نسخ مصنفات التراث الشعبي، أو نسخ ترجمات أو غيرها المنتجة خار
- Article 26
The article directs the Minister to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Copyright Law within six months and publish them in the Official Gazette.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام خلال ستة أشهر، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 27
The article provides that this law replaces the previous Copyright Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/11 dated 19/5/1410 AH.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام حماية حقوق المؤلف الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي ذي الرقم م/11 والتاريخ 19/ 5/ 1410هـ.
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.