Article 49 of the Saudi Publications Law
المادة 49 من نظام المطبوعات والنشر
The article provides that the Law of Printed Materials and Publication is published in the official gazette and takes effect ninety days after its publication.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
ينشر هذا النظام في الجريدة الرسمية، ويعمل به بعد تسعين يومًا من تاريخ نشره.
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 49 explained in plain English
This closing article sets out two matters:
- Publication: the Law is published in the official gazette.
- Coming into force: it takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication.
The Law is therefore not applied from the day it was issued or the day it was published, but after ninety days have passed since publication. The apparent purpose of this period is to give bodies and individuals time to learn its provisions and prepare for them.
The date of coming into force has practical importance, because it is the date on which the provisions of the Law become binding, and from which any periods the Law ties to its coming into force are counted. To find this date, add 90 days to the date of publication in the official gazette.
This article comes after Article 48, which provides that the Law replaces the Law of Printed Materials and Publication issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 13/4/1402 AH, and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
The article does not state the date of publication itself. Anyone who needs to determine whether a particular event falls under this Law or the previous Law can consult a lawyer who specializes in media and publishing law.
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 49 of the Saudi Publications Law
When does the Law of Printed Materials and Publication come into force?
Ninety days after the date of its publication in the official gazette.
Where is the Law of Printed Materials and Publication published?
In the official gazette.
More articles on Book Fairs, Associations and Regulations
- Article 43
The article requires the Ministry, in coordination with the relevant bodies, to set the rules governing book fairs held by private publishing and distribution houses, and to supervise them.
تضع الوزارة بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة، القواعد المنظمة لإقامة معارض الكتب من قبل دور النشر والتوزيع الأهلية وتشرف عليها.
- Article 44
The article allows associations to be established by decision of the Minister for the activities in Article 2, to address their problems and coordinate their tasks, with each association setting regulations approved by the Minister.
يجوز بقرار من الوزير إنشاء جمعيات لنشاطات مما هو منصوص عليه في المادة الثانية، لمعالجة مشكلاتها، وتنسيق مهماتها، وعلى كل جمعية أن تضع لائحة يعتمدها الوزير، توضح
- Article 45
The article makes the Ministry the body responsible for following up the implementation of the Law of Printed Materials and Publication and holding violators accountable according to its provisions.
الوزارة هي الجهة المنوط بها متابعة تنفيذ هذا النظام، ومساءلة من يخالفه وفقًا لأحكامه.
- Article 46
The article requires the Minister to issue the Implementing Regulations of the Law within a maximum of eighteen months of its publication, and to publish them in the official gazette.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة التنفيذية لهذا النظام، في مدة أقصاها ثمانية عشر شهرًا من تاريخ نشره، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية.
- Article 48
The article provides that the Law replaces the Law of Printed Materials and Publication issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 13/4/1402 AH, and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
يحل هذا النظام محل نظام المطبوعات والنشر الصادر بالمرسوم الملكي ذي الرقم (م/17) والتاريخ 13/ 4/ 1402هـ، ويلغي ما يتعارض معه من أحكام.
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.