Article 47 of the Saudi Trademarks Law
المادة 47 من نظام العلامات التجارية · الباب السابع: أحكام ختامية
The article recognizes marks registered under the laws and regulations in force before this law took effect, and gives them the protection it provides.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعتد بما تم تسجيله من علامات طبقًا لأحكام القوانين والقرارات والأنظمة السارية قبل تاريخ العمل بأحكام هذا القانون (النظام) وتتمتع هذه العلامات بالحماية المقررة فيه.
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 47 explained in plain English
This article deals with the status of trademarks that were registered before this law took effect. It is a transitional matter that concerns everyone who registered their mark under the earlier regulations.
The article provides two rules:
- Recognition of the earlier registration: marks that were registered under the laws, decisions and regulations in force before the date this law took effect are recognized, so their owners are not required to register them again merely because the new law was issued.
- Enjoying the new protection: these marks enjoy the protection provided in this law, including, for example, the precautionary measures, compensation and penalties it provides.
The aim is to keep rights stable, so that a mark owner's right is not lost because the law changed and the owner is not deprived of the means of protection the new law brought.
It is complemented by Article 48, which deals with applications filed before the law took effect and not yet decided, and subjects them to the new law, to be amended to conform with it. Article 47 concerns marks that are already registered, and Article 48 concerns pending applications.
The article does not address other matters such as the remaining protection period or the renewal dates of these marks. To review the position of a particular old mark, you may consult a lawyer who specializes in trademarks and commercial cases.
Practical example
Abdullah registered a mark for his bakery in Jeddah several years before this law took effect. That registration is recognized without any need to register again because the law was issued, and his mark enjoys the protection provided in it, so if someone imitates it he can benefit from the means of protection the law provides.
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 47 of the Saudi Trademarks Law
Is a trademark registered before the new law still protected?
Yes. Marks registered under the regulations in force before this law took effect are recognized and enjoy the protection it provides.
Do I need to re-register an old mark after the law was issued?
The article provides for recognition of the earlier registration made under the regulations in force before the law took effect.
What is the rule for registration applications not decided before the law?
Article 48 deals with them. The law applies to them, and they are amended to conform with it.
More articles on Judicial Police Status and Final Provisions
- Article 45
The article gives employees designated by a decision the status of judicial police officers and the right to enter relevant premises to catch violations, and requires the authorities to facilitate their work.
يكون للموظفين المختصين بتنفيذ أحكام هذا القانون (النظام) والقرارات الصادرة تنفيذا له، والذين يصدر بتحديدهم قرار وفق الإجراءات المتبعة في كل دولة من دول المجلس،
- Article 46
The article allows the competent authority to create an electronic system and a publicly available database, including an online one, for filing, renewing and following up trademark applications.
يجوز للجهة المختصة أن تنشئ نظامًا إلكترونيًا وقاعدة بيانات إلكترونية تتاح للجمهور، بما في ذلك قاعدة بيانات على شبكة الإنترنت، وذلك لتقديم طلبات تسجيل وتجديد تسج
- Article 48
The article subjects trademark applications filed before the law took effect and not yet decided to its provisions, to be amended to conform with them.
تسري أحكام هذا القانون (النظام) على ما لم يتم البت فيه من طلبات تسجيل العلامات التجارية التي قدمت قبل تاريخ العمل بأحكامه، على أن يتم تعديل هذه الطلبات بما يتفق
- Article 49
The article provides that the law does not prejudice the rules and obligations in the bilateral and international agreements in force in the state.
(لا تخل أحكام هذا القانون (النظام) بالضوابط والالتزام المنصوص عليها في الاتفاقيات الثنائية والدولية المعمول بها في الدولة).
- Article 50
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations the setting of the fees collected for procedures carried out under the Trademarks Law and its regulations.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية الرسوم التي تستوفى عن الإجراءات التي تتم بموجب هذا النظام (القانون) ولائحته التنفيذية.
- Article 51
The article gives the Commercial Cooperation Committee the right to interpret the Trademarks Law and propose amendments to it.
للجنة التعاون التجارية حق تفسير واقتراح تعديل هذا القانون "النظام".
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.