Article 5 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
المادة 5 من النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
The Article punishes anyone who prints, publishes, or uses for the purposes in Article 4 images of Saudi paper currency without a license from the competent authorities or contrary to its restrictions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل من طبع أو نشر أو استعمل للأغراض المذكورة في المادة الرابعة من هذا النظام صوراً تمثل وجهاً أو جزءاً من وجه لعملة ورقية متداولة نظاماً في المملكة العربية السعودية، بدون أن يحصل على ترخيص من الجهات المختصة ويعمل بالقيود المفروضة في هذا الترخيص، يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تتجاوز سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
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 5 explained in plain English
This Article regulates the use of images of paper currency and requires a license for it.
The acts: printing, publishing, or using images representing a face or part of a face of paper currency lawfully in circulation in the Kingdom.
The purposes: the purposes mentioned in Article 4, which according to its text are cultural, industrial, or commercial purposes.
When is the act a crime?
- If it is done without a license from the competent authorities,
- or if the restrictions imposed in the license are not observed.
The penalty: imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, and a fine not exceeding SAR 1,000, or one of these two penalties.
The difference from Article 4 is that it punishes making or possessing things resembling the currency with intent to sell if they are likely to mislead the public, whereas this Article concerns images and makes the criterion obtaining the license and complying with its restrictions. The Article does not specify the authority competent to license or the restrictions; these are learned from the authority itself.
The practical meaning is that whoever wants to use an image of a banknote in a commercial, cultural, or industrial work needs a prior license and compliance with its conditions.
To assess the position of a particular person or to defend in a pending case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal matters.
Practical example
An advertising company in Riyadh wanted to print promotional stickers containing an image of the front of the SAR 500 note. It must obtain a license from the competent authorities and comply with its restrictions, or it is exposed to the penalty in this Article.
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 5 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
May an image of the riyal be printed in a commercial advertisement?
A license from the competent authorities is required and the restrictions imposed in it must be observed, or the offender is punished by imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to SAR 1,000, or one of them.
Does the Article cover part of an image of the currency?
Yes. It covers images representing a face or part of a face of paper currency in circulation in the Kingdom.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Resembling Currency and Printing Its Images
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.