Article 28 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
المادة 28 من نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية · الفصل العاشر: أحكام ختامية
Applying the Electronic Transactions Law does not prejudice the provisions of related laws, especially intellectual property rights and the relevant international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يخل تطبيق هذا النظام بالأحكام الواردة في الأنظمة ذات العلاقة، وخاصة ما يتعلق بحقوق الملكية الفكرية والاتفاقيات الدولية ذات الصلة التي تكون المملكة طرفا فيها.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article sets the rule of coexistence between the Electronic Transactions Law and other laws: applying this Law does not prejudice the provisions of related laws.
The article singles out two areas:
- intellectual property rights.
- the relevant international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.
The word "especially" means that these two areas are prominent examples rather than an exhaustive list, so the provision covers all related laws.
Practical meaning: if an electronic transaction is validly concluded under this Law, that does not exempt it from the provisions imposed by other related laws. For example, the fact that content is transmitted or circulated electronically does not mean that intellectual property protection provisions do not apply to it. The Electronic Transactions Law deals with the electronic form of a transaction and its effects, and does not replace other laws in what they regulate.
The article does not say how a conflict is to be resolved in each case, and does not list the related laws. It operates alongside Article 27, which preserves the injured person's right to compensation, and Article 29, which requires personnel of the Ministry, the Authority and the Center to maintain confidentiality.
In matters where this Law overlaps with other laws, such as intellectual property, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial matters or the field concerned.
Practical example
A startup in Riyadh sells e-books through its website and properly concludes sales contracts with its customers electronically. The validity of these contracts under the Electronic Transactions Law does not prejudice the intellectual property provisions, so the company must still respect authors' rights under the related laws.
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 28 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
Does the Electronic Transactions Law cancel the provisions of other laws?
No. Applying it does not prejudice the provisions of related laws.
Do intellectual property rights apply to electronic transactions?
The article provides that applying the Law does not prejudice the provisions on intellectual property rights in particular.
How does the Law relate to international agreements?
Applying the Law does not prejudice the relevant international agreements to which the Kingdom is a party.
More articles on Scope of the Electronic Transactions Law
- Article 1
The article defines the key terms used in the Electronic Transactions Law, such as electronic record, electronic signature, digital certification certificate and certification services provider.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمام كل منها، ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: 1 - الوزارة : وزارة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلوم
- Article 2
The article sets out the objectives of the Electronic Transactions Law: unifying its rules, building confidence in it, facilitating its use, removing obstacles to it, and preventing its misuse and fraud.
يهدف هذا النظام إلى ضبط التعاملات والتوقيعات الإلكترونية ، وتنظيمها، وتوفير إطار نظامي لها بما يؤدي إلى تحقيق ما يلي: 1 - إرساء قواعد نظامية موحدة لاستخدام التع
- Article 3
The article defines the Law's scope: it applies to electronic transactions and signatures and excludes personal status transactions and the issuance of deeds for real estate dealings, unless the responsible authority allows them to be carried out electronically.
يسري هذا النظام على التعاملات والتوقيعات الإلكترونية ، ويستثنى من أحكامه ما يلي: 1 - التعاملات المتعلقة بالأحوال الشخصية. 2 - إصدار الصكوك المتعلقة بالتصرفات ال
- Article 4
The Law does not oblige anyone to deal electronically without their express or implied consent, but a government body's consent must be express, and additional conditions may be set that do not conflict with the Law.
1- لا يلزم هذا النظام أي شخص بالتعامل الإلكتروني دون موافقته، ويمكن أن تكون هذه الموافقة صريحة أو ضمنية. 2- استثناء من الحكم الوارد من الفقرة (1) من هذه المادة،
- Article 30
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology issues the Law's Implementing Regulations on the Authority's proposal within 120 days of the date the Law was issued.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة لهذا النظام، بناء على اقتراح من الهيئة وذلك خلال (مائة وعشرين) يوما من تاريخ صدور النظام.
- Article 31
The Electronic Transactions Law takes effect 120 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
يعمل بهذا النظام بعد (مائة وعشرين) يوما من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.