On 8 July 2026, Saudi Arabia acceded to the Madrid Protocol, which forms part of the Madrid System. The Madrid System allows applicants to apply to obtain trade mark protection in multiple countries in a simpler and more cost-effective way with the filing of a single international application.

Saudi Arabia will be the 117^th member of the Madrid System (following Qatar in 2024 and Grenada in 2025), which now covers 133 countries and therefore more than 80% of global trade. This is therefore an attractive, efficient and cost-effective way for businesses to seek and secure protection for their trade marks in most countries around the world.

National IP offices still examine trade marks filed via the Madrid System in accordance with local law in the same way as when filed directly (and therefore this route does not guarantee protection in the designated countries), but the existence of a central international trade mark registration produces efficiencies throughout the life of the registration, with renewal and administration (for example, name and address changes and changes in ownership) of the trade mark being managed via the Madrid System’s governing body, WIPO. This can greatly reduce the complexities involved with the maintenance of trade mark registrations.

From 8 October 2026, new applicants for international trade marks will be able to designate (file for protection in) Saudi Arabia, and owners of existing international trade mark registrations will be able to file ‘subsequent designations’ to seek to extend their protection to this country. Up until its accession to the Madrid System, trade mark protection in Saudi Arabia could only be obtained via a direct national application, which can be costly and often involves burdensome administrative hurdles (such as the requirement for Notarised and Legalised Powers of Attorney).

For a trade mark holder who wishes to protect their trade mark in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia now stands alongside Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE as countries in the region which can be designated for protection via a Madrid application (leaving Kuwait as the only GCC member state not a part of the Madrid System).

Obtaining trade mark protection in the Middle East can be expensive relative to other countries around the world, therefore the opportunity to secure trade mark registrations via the Madrid System will no doubt be attractive to applicant’s who conduct business in this region.

This article was written by Senior Associate, Kerry Allen. If you are interested in seeking protection for your trade marks in Saudi Arabia, the wider Middle East, or indeed anywhere else in the world, please contact Kerry or one of our attorneys.