Article 27 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 27 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article prevents using the name of a newspaper that has ceased publication until ten years after it stopped, unless the interested parties waive, and prevents adopting a name confusing with another newspaper's name.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- لا يجوز استعمال اسم صحيفة سبق صدورها ثم احتجبت، إلا بعد انقضاء عشرة أعوام على احتجابها، ما لم يتنازل أصحاب الشأن عن الاسم قبل انقضاء هذه المدة.
2- لا يجوز اتخاذ اسم لصحيفة يؤدي إلى الالتباس مع اسم غيرها.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article protects newspaper names with two provisions:
- The name of a newspaper that has ceased publication: if a newspaper was issued and then ceased publication (stopped), no one else may use its name until ten years have passed since it ceased. The exception is where the interested parties waive the name before this period passes, in which case it may be used.
- Preventing confusion: a newspaper name may not be adopted that leads to confusion with another's name, even if it is not identical to it.
The apparent purpose of the two provisions is to protect the identity of newspapers, to prevent misleading readers with similar names, and to preserve the rights of the owners of a stopped newspaper in its name for a reasonable period.
Under Article 1, a newspaper is any printed material with a fixed title issued periodically or on occasions, such as newspapers, magazines and bulletins; the fixed title is an essential element of its definition, which is why the Law protects its name.
This article comes after Article 26, which requires the license holder's name, the editor-in-chief's name, the issue number, the place and date of issue, the price and the printing press's name to be shown in a prominent place in the newspaper. After it comes Article 28, which refers to the Implementing Regulations the rules on the annual subscription, the price of a copy and advertising matters. Anyone with a dispute over a newspaper's name can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
Practical example
A cultural magazine in Jeddah stopped publishing 6 years ago. An investor wants to issue a new magazine with the same name. He may not do so before ten years have passed since it ceased, unless the interested parties waive the name.
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 27 of the Saudi Publications Law
When can the name of a discontinued newspaper be used?
After ten years have passed since it ceased publication, or earlier if the interested parties waive the name.
May a newspaper be named something close to another newspaper?
No. A newspaper name may not be adopted that leads to confusion with another's name.
More articles on Issuing Newspapers
- Article 23
The article allows foreign newspapers to be printed in the Kingdom after the Prime Minister's approval, as set by the Implementing Regulations and consistent with the Law.
يجوز بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء أن تطبع صحف أجنبية في المملكة وفقًا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية، وبما يتفق مع أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 24
The article provides that local newspapers are not subject to control except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Prime Minister.
لا تخضع الصحف المحلية للرقابة، إلا في الظروف الاستثنائية التي يقرها رئيس مجلس الوزراء.
- Article 25
The article regulates issuing newspapers by private bodies and individuals under a license after the Prime Minister's approval, accepts the Ministry's approval alone for some bulletins and magazines, and sets who is responsible for what is published.
1 - يجوز- خارج نطاق المؤسسات الصحفية الأهلية- إصدار الصحف من قبل الجهات الأهلية أو الأفراد بترخيص من الوزارة بعد موافقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء . 2 - يكتفى بموافقة ال
- Article 26
The article requires the license holder's name, the editor-in-chief's name, the issue number, place and date of issue, the price and the printing press's name to be placed in a prominent place in the newspaper.
يوضع في مكان بارز من الصحيفة اسم صاحب الترخيص واسم رئيس التحرير، ورقم العدد، ومكان الصدو،ر وتاريخه، والسعر، واسم المطبعة.
- Article 28
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the rules on the annual subscription fee for newspapers, the price of a single copy and advertising matters.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد المنظمة لبدل الاشتراك السنوي في الصحف وقيمة النسخة الواحدة، وشؤون الإعلانات.
- Article 29
The article allows the Ministry to withdraw a newspaper's license or cancel approval of its issue if it is not issued within two years of notification of the license, or if it stops for more than a continuous year.
للوزارة سحب الترخيص أو إلغاء الموافقة على إصدار الصحيفة في إحدى الحالتين الآتيتين: 1 - إذا لم يتم الإصدار خلال مدة أقصاها سنتان من الإبلاغ بالترخيص. 2 - إذا توق
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.