Article 4 of the Saudi Geographical Indications Law
المادة 4 من نظام حماية المؤشرات الجغرافية · الفصل الثاني: تسجيل المؤشر الجغرافي
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property prepares a register of geographical indications in which the indications, their elements, registration applications, dispositions on them and necessary data are entered.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تُعِد الهيئة سجلًا للمؤشرات الجغرافية تسجل فيه المؤشرات الجغرافية وعناصرها وطلبات تسجيلها، والتصرفات التي ترد عليها، والبيانات اللازمة، بموجب النظام واللائحة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article requires the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (the “Authority” as defined in Article 1) to prepare a register of geographical indications.
The following are entered in this register:
- The geographical indications themselves.
- Their elements.
- Their registration applications.
- The dispositions made on them.
- The necessary data.
This is done in accordance with the Law and the Regulations, so the details of how entries are made and which data are required are found in the Implementing Regulations. Note that the register is not limited to registered indications but also includes registration applications and dispositions made on indications, so it is a comprehensive record of the status of each indication.
The register has great practical importance, since Article 3 ties the protection of national geographical indications to their being entered in the register. Entry in it is what gives a national indication the protection provided in the Law.
It is followed by Article 5, which explains what enters into determining a geographical indication, namely natural and human factors, and the conditions required for registering it, such as that it not conflict with public order and public morals or with the Kingdom's international obligations.
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 4 of the Saudi Geographical Indications Law
Who prepares the register of geographical indications?
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.
What is entered in the register of geographical indications?
The geographical indications, their elements, their registration applications, the dispositions made on them and the necessary data, in accordance with the Law and the Regulations.
Why is entry in the register important?
Article 3 provides that national geographical indications entered in the register enjoy the protection provided in the Law.
More articles on Applying to Register a Geographical Indication
- Article 6
The registration application is submitted to the Authority on the prescribed form, including proof of the product's tie to its region, documents for a foreign indication, the usage guide, and anything the Regulations specify.
يقدم طلب تسجيل المؤشر الجغرافي إلى الهيئة بالنموذج المعد لذلك، متضمنًا ما يأتي: 1- ما يُبيّن أن المـنتَج يرتبط بمنطقة جغرافية معينة، وأن نوعيته أو شهرته أو سمات
- Article 7
The Authority may request an authentication certificate for a foreign indication within a period it sets and may reject the application if it is not provided; international applications follow their agreements' procedures.
1- يجوز للهيئة أن تطلب من مقدم طلب تسجيل مؤشر جغرافي أجنبي تقديمَ شهادة مصادقة من الجهات المختصة في بلاده على صحة ما تضمنه طلب التسجيل، وذلك خلال مدة تحددها اله
- Article 8
The usage guide must contain the product name, its description, characteristics and production region, a description of the production method, and any other elements set by the Regulations.
يجب أن يتضمن دليل الاستعمال العناصر والبيانات الآتية: 1- اسم المـنتَج. 2- وصف المـنتَج، مع بيان خصائصه ونوعيته والعناصر الداخلة في تركيبته، والمنطقة الجغرافية ل
- Article 9
The Authority examines the registration application and issues a decision accepting or rejecting it, notifies the applicant of a rejection with reasons, and the Regulations set the procedures and periods.
تفحص الهيئة طلب تسجيل المؤشر الجغرافي؛ للتحقق من استيفائه الشروط المحددة بموجب النظام واللائحة، وتصدر قرارها بقبول الطلب أو رفضه، وفي حال الرفض فعلى الهيئة إبلا
- Article 25
The Regulations determine the fee for the services the Authority provides under the Law and the Regulations.
تحدد اللائحة المقابل المالي عن الخدمات التي تقدمها الهيئة بموجب أحكام النظام واللائحة.
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.

