New IP Developments in Saudi Arabia and Tunisia
Saudi Arabia formally deposited its instrument of ratification of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty, as well as its instrument of accession to the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) on 8 July 2026, further strengthening the Kingdom’s participation in international intellectual property systems.
The developments form part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its intellectual property framework and expand the services available to rights holders.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty was introduced to streamline procedures for obtaining design protection, making the process more predictable and efficient for applicants seeking protection in different jurisdictions.
The Treaty introduces a range of procedural measures aimed at making design protection more accessible and reducing differences between national procedures of its member states.
Further details on the Treaty and its key provisions are available in our previous article.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty has not yet entered into force, and WIPO will announce the effective date once the required number of ratifications or accessions to the Treaty has been reached.
The Madrid Protocol
Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Madrid Protocol will enter into force on 8 October 2026. From that date, trademark owners in Saudi Arabia will be able to use the Madrid System to seek protection for their trademarks in other member countries through a single international application.
The accession will also allow holders of international trademark registrations to designate Saudi Arabia for protection, providing rights holders with a more streamlined way to seek and manage trademark protection across multiple jurisdictions.
Legal Provision
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Key Change
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Refusal period
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18 months from the date of notification of the designation. A refusal resulting from an opposition may be notified after the expiry of the 18-month period.
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Individual fee
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Applies to designation and renewal. The amount will be announced separately by WIPO.
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Practical Impact
From 8 October 2026, Saudi trademark owners will gain access to the Madrid System for international trademark protection, while foreign rights holders will be able to designate Saudi Arabia through the same system. The practical benefits of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty will become available once the Treaty enters into force.
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia Advance Digitalisation of IP Services and Trademark Enforcement
Tunisia and Saudi Arabia have introduced new digital initiatives aimed at modernising intellectual property services and strengthening trademark protection. Tunisia has launched a digital industrial property system covering key IP rights, while Saudi Arabia has introduced a platform designed to facilitate customs enforcement of trademarks at the border.
Tunisia Launches Digital Industrial Property System
Tunisia’s National Institute of Standardization and Industrial Property (INNORPI) introduced a digital industrial property system on 24 June 2026. The system supports electronic filing for trademarks, patents, and industrial designs and provides online access to intellectual property information and national databases.
The new system is intended to improve access to IP services while increasing efficiency and transparency of industrial property services in Tunisia. Its launch represents a further development in Tunisia’s digital transformation and innovation strategy and is supported by cooperation between Tunisia and Korea.
Key Change
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What It Means
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Online filing
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Applications for trademarks, patents, and industrial designs can be submitted electronically.
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Remote access
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Users can access IP information and national databases online.
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Digital services
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IP-related procedures can be handled remotely through the digital system.
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Practical Impact
The new system is expected to make industrial property services in Tunisia more accessible by allowing applicants to submit applications and access IP information remotely.
Saudi Arabia Introduces Tahaqaq for Customs Trademark Enforcement
The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has launched Tahaqaq, a digital platform for trademark recordal and customs enforcement. The platform is currently being implemented in a pilot phase.
Under the former system, rights holders reported suspected infringement after issues arose. Tahaqaq instead allows trademark owners to record their registered marks with customs in advance and organise the recordal by class. Customs authorities can use this information when examining incoming shipments and notify the rights holder’s registered representative if potentially infringing goods are identified.
The platform also facilitates the electronic exchange of shipment information and supporting materials, allowing rights holders to assess suspected goods remotely and determine whether further enforcement action is required.
Key Change
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What It Means
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Advance recordal
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Registered trademarks can be recorded with customs by class.
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Notifications
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Registered representatives can receive information on potentially infringing shipments through the platform.
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Remote assessment
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Shipment information and supporting materials can be reviewed electronically.
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Voluntary registration
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Recordal is voluntary, but unrecorded trademarks will not receive automated notifications under the new process.
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Record maintenance
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Trademark information recorded on the platform should be kept up to date.
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Practical Impact
Trademark owners with registered marks in Saudi Arabia may therefore consider recording their trademarks on the platform, particularly where customs enforcement forms part of their anti-counterfeiting strategy.
For fast and accurate quotes for IP filings, use IP-Coster’s budgeting tool or contact our team for tailored assistance.