Article 45 of the Saudi Patents Law
المادة 45 من نظام براءات الاختراع · الفصل الثاني: أحكام خاصة ببراءات الاختراع
The article excludes from the concept of an invention discoveries, theories, mathematical methods, business methods, plants, animals, and methods of treatment and diagnosis, with specific exceptions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يعد من قبيل الاختراعات في مجال تطبيق أحكام هذا النظام ما يأتي:
أ - الاكتشافات، والنظريات العلمية، والطرق الرياضية.
ب -مخططات مزاولة الأعمال التجارية وقواعدها وأساليبها، أو ممارسة الأنشطة الذهنية المحضة، أو ممارسة لعبة من الألعاب.
جـ - النباتات، والحيوانات، والعمليات – التي في معظمها حيوية – المستخدمة لإنتاج النباتات، أو الحيوانات، ويستثنى من ذلك الأحياء الدقيقة، والعمليات غير الحيوية، وعمليات علم الأحياء الدقيقة.
د - طرق معالجة جسم الإنسان، أو الحيوان جراحيا، أو علاجيا، وطرق تشخيص المرض المطبقة على جسم الإنسان أو الحيوان، ويستثنى من ذلك المنتجات التي تستعمل في أي من تلك الطرق.
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 45 explained in plain English
Even if something is new and inventive, this article takes certain categories out of the concept of an invention for the application of the Law, so no patent is granted for them:
- Discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods.
- Schemes, rules and methods for doing business, for performing purely mental activities, and for playing games.
- Plants and animals, and the mainly biological processes used to produce them. The exception to this is microorganisms, non-biological processes and microbiological processes, which the exclusion does not cover.
- Methods of treating the human or animal body surgically or therapeutically, and methods of diagnosing disease applied to the body. The exception to this is the products used in any of those methods.
The difference in the fourth item is important: the method of performing a surgical operation is not an invention, while the device or substance used in it is not covered by this exclusion.
This article follows Article 44, which explains the conditions of novelty, inventive step and industrial application, so those conditions are not considered if the subject matter is not an invention to begin with.
Because the line between what is excluded and what is excepted can be fine, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and patents before filing an application.
Practical example
A doctor in Riyadh devised a new surgical method for treating the knee joint, and designed a special surgical tool with it. Under this article the surgical method itself is not an invention, while the tool is a product used in that method, so the exclusion does not cover it, and whether it meets the conditions for a patent is then examined.
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 45 of the Saudi Patents Law
Can a patent be obtained for a business idea?
No. Schemes, rules and methods for doing business are not considered inventions for the application of the Law.
Is a patent granted for a medical treatment method?
Methods of treating the human or animal body surgically or therapeutically, and methods of diagnosis, are not considered inventions. The exception is the products used in them.
Can a patent be registered for microorganisms?
The exclusion of plants and animals does not cover microorganisms, non-biological processes and microbiological processes.
More articles on Conditions for a Patent
- Article 43
The article sets the three conditions for an invention to be granted a patent: novelty, an inventive step and industrial applicability, whether it is a product or an industrial process.
يكون الاختراع قابلًا للحصول على البراءة طبقًا لأحكام هذا النظام متى كان جديدًا، ومنطويًا على خطوة ابتكارية، وقابلًا للتطبيق الصناعي. ويمكن أن يكون الاختراع منتج
- Article 44
The article explains the meaning of an invention's novelty against the prior art, the meaning of the inventive step, and when an invention is industrially applicable.
أ - يكون الاختراع جديدًا إذا لم يكن مسبوقًا من حيث حالة التقنية السابقة، ويقصد بالتقنية السابقة في هذا المجال كل ما تحقق الكشف عنه للجمهور في أي مكان بالوصف الم
- Article 46
The article requires a patent application to relate to one invention or one inventive concept, and allows it to be divided before a decision while keeping the original filing or priority date.
يجب أن يتعلق الطلب باختراع واحد، أو مجموعة من الأجزاء المرتبطة على نحو يجعلها مفهومًا ابتكاريًّا واحدًا، ولمقدم الطلب قبل البت في منحه براءة اختراع تجزئة طلبه إ
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.