Article 31 of the Saudi Patents Law
المادة 31 من نظام براءات الاختراع · الفصل الأول: أحكام عامة
The article allows the owner of a protection document to relinquish it in whole or in part by a written request; with a compulsory license in place it is accepted only with the beneficiary's consent or for compelling circumstances, and it takes effect against third parties from publication.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لمالك وثيقة الحماية التخلي عنها بموجب طلب كتابي يقدم إلى المدينة، ويجوز أن يقتصر التخلي على عنصر واحد أو أكثر من عناصر الحماية المقررة، على أنه لا يقبل التخلي عن وثيقة الحماية في حالة الترخيص الإجباري إلا بعد الموافقة الكتابية عليه من المستفيد من الترخيص، أو إثبات وجود ظروف قهرية تسوغ هذا التخلي، ويسجل التخلي، ويعلن عنه في النشرة، ولا يسري أثر التخلي بالنسبة للغير إلا من تاريخ النشر.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article regulates the owner's relinquishment of a protection document voluntarily, for example because they no longer need it.
1. How to relinquish: by a written request submitted to the City.
2. Partial relinquishment: relinquishment may be limited to one or more of the protection elements established, so the owner need not relinquish the whole document.
3. If a compulsory license exists on the document: relinquishment is accepted only after one of two things:
- the written consent of the beneficiary of the license,
- or proof of compelling circumstances that justify the relinquishment.
The aim is to protect the licensee from losing its right through a unilateral decision of the owner.
4. Recording and publication: the relinquishment is recorded and announced in the Bulletin.
5. Effect against third parties: the relinquishment takes effect against third parties only from the date of publication.
This article differs from Article 29, which regulates relinquishment of the license by the beneficiary of the compulsory license; here the one relinquishing is the owner of the document. Article 30 also requires compulsory license decisions to be recorded, announced and notified to the owner.
It is followed by Article 32, which allows any interested party to challenge before the Committee the decision granting a document, seeking its invalidation.
Before relinquishing a document that carries licenses or obligations, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and patents.
Practical example
Sultan owns a patent that covers several protection elements, and he no longer uses one of them. He can relinquish that element alone in writing, and the relinquishment takes effect against third parties only from the date of its publication in the Bulletin. If the patent were subject to a compulsory license, he would need the beneficiary's written consent or proof of compelling circumstances.
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 31 of the Saudi Patents Law
Can a patent be relinquished?
Yes, by a written request submitted to the City, and the relinquishment may be limited to one or more of the protection elements.
Can a patent subject to a compulsory license be relinquished?
Relinquishment is accepted only with the written consent of the license beneficiary or on proof of compelling circumstances that justify it.
When does relinquishment of a patent take effect against others?
From the date of publication in the Bulletin.
More articles on Patent Term and Fees
- Article 18
The article imposes an annual fee on a protection application or document, doubled if late by three months, with the application or document lapsing on non-payment after a warning.
أ - يستحق على طلب الحماية، أو وثيقة الحماية مقابل مالي سنوي – طبقًا للجدول المرفق بهذا النظام – يجب سداده في بداية كل سنة، اعتبارًا من السنة التالية لتاريخ إيدا
- Article 19
The article sets the protection periods: 20 years for a patent, 10 years for a design certificate and an industrial model certificate, and 20 years for a plant patent, 25 for trees and vines.
أ - مدة حماية براءة الاختراع عشرون سنة من تاريخ إيداع الطلب. ب - مدة حماية شهادة التصميم عشر سنوات من تاريخ إيداع الطلب، أو عشر سنوات من تاريخ بدء استغلاله تجار
- Article 42
The article sets the fees due under the Law according to the attached Schedule and allows them to be amended by a Council of Ministers decision on the proposal of the Authority's board of directors.
يحدد المقابل المالي المستحق تطبيقًا لأحكام هذا النظام وفقًا للجدول المرافق، ويجوز تعديله بقرار من مجلس الوزراء بناء على اقتراح من مجلس إدارة الهيئة.
- Article 58
The article requires the plant patent owner to maintain the variety, supply the City with information and samples and propose an alternative name, and the patent lapses on breach after notice and a grace period.
يلتزم مالك البراءة النباتية بما يأتي: أ - الحفاظ على الصنف المحمي، أو – عند الحاجة – على مكوناته الوراثية طوال مدة الحماية. ب - تزويد المدينة بناء على طلبها بال
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.