Article 29 of the Saudi Patents Law
المادة 29 من نظام براءات الاختراع · الفصل الأول: أحكام عامة
The article allows the beneficiary of a compulsory license to relinquish it by a written request to the City; relinquishment takes effect from the date of the City's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للمستفيد من الترخيص الإجباري التخلي عن الترخيص، بناء على طلب كتابي يقدمه إلى المدينة، على أن يسري أثر التخلي من تاريخ موافقة المدينة عليه.
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 29 explained in plain English
This article gives the beneficiary of a compulsory license the right to relinquish it voluntarily if they no longer wish to continue.
How is relinquishment made?
- By a written request.
- Submitted to the City.
When does it take effect? From the date of the City's approval of it, not from the date the request is submitted. The beneficiary therefore remains bound by the license and what follows from it until the approval is issued.
The difference between relinquishment and cancellation:
- Relinquishment (this article) is made at the request of the beneficiary.
- Cancellation (Article 28) is carried out by the City in specific cases, such as insufficient exploitation within two years, non-payment within 90 days of the due date, or breach of the license conditions.
After relinquishment comes Article 30, which requires decisions on compulsory licenses, including relinquishment, to be recorded in the Administration's records, announced in the Bulletin and notified to the owner of the protection document.
The article does not specify the effect of relinquishment on amounts or obligations that fell due before the approval, so it should not be inferred that they are waived. Before submitting a relinquishment request, it is therefore advisable to review existing obligations with a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and patents.
Practical example
An establishment in Jeddah decided to stop exploiting an invention for which it held a compulsory license, and submitted a written request to the City. The relinquishment takes effect only from the date the City approves the request.
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 29 of the Saudi Patents Law
Can I relinquish a compulsory license?
Yes, by a written request submitted to the City.
When does relinquishment of a compulsory license take effect?
From the date of the City's approval of it.
More articles on Compulsory Licensing
- Article 24
The article allows the City to grant a third party a compulsory license to exploit a patented invention or an integrated circuit layout design, on set conditions and with fair compensation to the owner.
أ - يجوز للمدينة أن تمنح ترخيصًا إجباريًّا للغير باستغلال الاختراع المشمول بالبراءة، أو التصميم التخطيطي للدارة المتكاملة المشمول بشهادة التصميم بناء على طلب يق
- Article 25
The article allows the City to grant a compulsory license for a plant variety covered by a plant patent on set conditions, including public interest, three years from grant and fair compensation, for two to four years.
أ - يجوز للمدينة أن تمنح ترخيصًا إجباريا للغير باستغلال الصنف النباتي المشمول ببراءة نباتية، وذلك بناء على طلب يقدمه إليها وفقًا لما يأتي : 1- أن يكون الترخيص ا
- Article 26
The article prevents the compulsory licensee from assigning the license to others except together with the enterprise, part of it or its goodwill, and with the City's approval, otherwise the assignment is void.
إذا منح ترخيص إجباري لموضوع من موضوعات الحماية، فإنه لا يجوز للمستفيد من الترخيص الإجباري أن يتنازل عنه للغير، إلا إذا كان التنازل شاملًا للمنشأة المستفيدة من ا
- Article 27
The article allows the City to amend a compulsory license decision if grounds require it; the owner or the beneficiary may request amendment, and the decision to amend or refuse must state its reasons.
يجوز للمدينة تعديل قرار منح الترخيص الإجباري إذا قامت أسباب تقتضي ذلك. ولمالك وثيقة الحماية أو المستفيد من الترخيص الإجباري أن يطلب من المدينة إجراء هذا التعديل
- Article 28
The article requires the City to cancel a compulsory license if the beneficiary has not exploited it sufficiently within two years, has not paid amounts due within 90 days, or has breached its conditions.
تقوم المدينة بإلغاء الترخيص الإجباري في الحالات الآتية: أ - إذا لم يقم المستفيد من هذا الترخيص باستغلاله على نحو كاف يفي باحتياجات المملكة خلال سنتين من منح الت
- Article 30
The article requires decisions granting, amending, withdrawing, transferring or relinquishing compulsory licenses to be recorded in the Administration's records, announced in the Bulletin and notified to the owner of the protection document.
تسجل في سجلات الإدارة قرارات الترخيص الإجباري وتعديلها، وسحبها، ونقلها للغير، والتخلي عنها، وتعلن في النشرة، ويبلغ مالك وثيقة الحماية بها.
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.