Article 17 of the Saudi Publications Law

This article regulates adding publicity and advertising material to recorded works, which include:

• Films, tapes or the like.
• On which artistic, sports or other material is recorded.
• That are contracted for exploitation in the Kingdom.

This addition is not allowed except on two conditions:

1. It must be done through local publicity and advertising establishments or companies.
2. It must be after approval by the Ministry (the Ministry of Media under Article 1).

The article also refers to the Implementing Regulations to set the time allowed for advertisements in each work, so the article itself states no particular limit on the duration.

In practice this means: if a party has contracted to show or exploit a recorded film or sports program in the Kingdom and wants to insert advertisements in it, it may not add them itself or through a foreign party, but only through a local advertising establishment or company and after the Ministry's approval, observing the duration set by the Regulations.

This article comes after Article 16 on depositing copies of what is printed inside the Kingdom, and before Article 18, which sets the conditions for approving external printed materials. Anyone who works in production or in artistic and advertising distribution can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.