The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) plays an important role in building respect for intellectual property as well as the creation and utilization of Intellectual Property in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, SAIP raise awareness of all fields of IP including Geographic Indications. SAIP aims to organize, support, sponsor, protect and promote intellectual property in Saudi Arabia in accordance with global best practices. Geographical indications are defined as a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, food products, handicrafts, and industrial products. The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property has coordinated with the competent national authorities to make a list of agricultural, food, handicrafts and national industrial products that could be registered as a geographical indication. SAIP seeks to provide full protection for the national geographical indications, and prevent the exploitation of unauthorized persons, for the popularity of local products that the regions of the kingdom are famous for as geographical indications that have a close association with their places of production, where the Kingdom is considered as its geographical origin, in addition to preventing the imitation or misleading of consumers about the original source of these goods. Due to its importance, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property indicated that the geographical indication enhances the competitiveness and the marketing of these products in the markets. It is worth noting that SAIP has invited all interested parties to express their opinion on the "Draft law for the protection of geographical indications" and to provide written comments or consultations in this regard before the date of 2/12/1441 AH (23/07/2020), by sending an email to SAIP through its official email [email protected] and indicating the name of the person or organization providing the consultations.
