Service overview
What is Copyright under the Saudi System:
Copyright is the right that the creator of a literary, artistic, or scientific work acquires from the moment they bring their work out of their mind and fix it in a tangible medium. It consists of two essential rights: moral rights preserving attribution and preventing distortion, and economic rights entitling the author to materially benefit through publishing, translation, rental, licensing, and sale for a specific period defined by law.
Governing Copyright Law in the Kingdom:
Copyright Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/41 dated 2 Rajab 1424 H (30 August 2003), amended by Cabinet Decision No. 536 dated 19 Shawwal 1439 H (3 July 2018). Optional registration is governed by the Regulations for Optional Registration of Copyright Works 1440 H, effective from 19 December 2019.
Automatic Protection vs Optional Registration:
The Saudi system adopts protection upon fixation per the Berne Convention (joined 2004). Registration is not required for protection but provides substantive evidentiary advantages.
| Feature | Automatic Protection | SAIP Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Start Date | Moment of work creation | Same moment, with certified date |
| Ownership Evidence in Court | Requires proof by any means | Official dated SAIP certificate |
| SAIP Administrative Procedures | Slow — needs proof first | Fast — registry confirms ownership |
| Commercial Contracts | Publishers may require docs | Document ready for publishers/distributors |
| Ownership Transfer & Licensing | Possible but harder to document | Officially documented and registrable |
| Fees | None | SAR 400 (one-time) |
Protected Work Categories:
The law protects every original innovation in literary, scientific, and artistic fields. Protected works include: books, articles, lectures, theatrical and musical works, films and audiovisual works, paintings and sculpture, photography, applied arts, maps, software and databases, and derivative works such as translations and adaptations (with permission from the original author).
Protection Duration by Work Type:
| Work Type | Protection Duration | Calculated From |
|---|---|---|
| General Literary/Scientific/Artistic Works | Life + 50 years | Date of death |
| Joint Works | Last surviving author + 50 years | Death of last surviving author |
| Legal Person or Anonymous Author | 50 years | Date of first publication |
| Audio and Audiovisual Works/Films | 50 years | Date of first display/publication |
| Collective Works and Computer Software | 50 years | Date of first display/publication |
| Applied Arts Works | 25 years | Date of publication |
| Photographic Works | 25 years | Date of publication |
Note: After protection expires, the work enters the public domain, while moral rights of the author remain permanently.
Optional Registration Stages at SAIP:
The process begins with preparing required documents: work copy, ownership declaration, applicant ID, commercial registration for companies. Then electronic filing through the SAIP portal and payment of SAR 400. SAIP reviews the application and issues the registration certificate within one to four weeks upon acceptance.
Government Fees at SAIP:
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work Registration Fee | SAR 400 | Paid electronically upon filing |
| Annual Fees | None | Certificate establishes rights for full protection period |
| Renewal Fees | None | Protection continues automatically for statutory duration |
| Ownership Transfer (separate) | Per SAIP schedule | Paid upon contract documentation |
Figures referenced from Saudi sources at content preparation time, subject to any SAIP updates.
Exclusive Author Rights after Registration:
| Right | What It Entitles You To |
|---|---|
| Reproduction and Copying | Reproduce the work by any means; unauthorized copies prohibited |
| Translation | Exclusive right to translate the work into any other language |
| Adaptation and Modification | Modification or excerpt of the work without your permission is prohibited |
| Distribution and Sale | Selling and distributing work copies is your right |
| Rental and Licensing | Permitting others to use the work for monetary consideration |
| Public Performance | Cinematographic, theatrical, and public musical display |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | Broadcasting on official channels and stations |
| Digital Exploitation | Publishing on platforms, Internet, and applications |
Infringement exposes the violator to administrative liability before SAIP and civil and criminal liability before commercial courts.
Why Register Despite Automatic Protection:
Registration provides conclusive evidence in case of infringement. In judicial disputes, burden of proof falls on whoever claims earlier ownership, and a SAIP dated certificate is the strongest evidence before courts. Registration accelerates SAIP administrative procedures and facilitates commercial contracts with publishers, distributors, and investors.
Why Motaded:
We prepare your registration file with legal precision that preserves broader protection scope by drafting the ownership declaration and technical work description anticipating future developments. We operate the SAIP electronic platform with operational expertise that shortens timelines, and we accompany you after issuance with legal guidance on fair use limits and rights enforcement.
Packages and Pricing:
| Package | Price | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Copyright Registration | SAR 2,500 | Initial consultation + document preparation + electronic filing + government fee SAR 400 + issuance follow-up. Suitable for a single simple work |
| Standard Copyright Package | SAR 5,000 | Everything in Basic + registration of up to 3 works + expanded legal consultation + standard licensing/assignment contract drafting |
| Comprehensive Copyright Package | SAR 10,000 | Everything in Standard + unlimited registrations in same creative domain + defense against one infringement + follow-up confiscation procedures + ongoing legal guidance for one year |
| Additional Services | Case-by-case | International registration via Berne Convention, complex judicial disputes, composite production contracts, large work ownership transfer |
Package Inclusivity — Covered and Excluded:
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Government fees for listed services | ✓ Covered in all packages |
| Agreed legal consultation | ✓ Covered |
| Document preparation and follow-up | ✓ Covered |
| International registration outside the Kingdom | ✗ Not covered — separate |
| Criminal disputes | ✗ Not covered |
| Specialized art and translation experts | ✗ As needed |
Service snapshot
Beneficiary groupAuthors & Creators
Service delivery channels
Duration
Objectives
We provide you with the official SAIP dated certificate that resolves court disputes.
We provide you with the official SAIP dated certificate that resolves court disputes.
We preserve your full economic rights for 50 years after death for literary/scientific works.
Registration opens doors to deals with publishers, distributors, and investors.
Work Tracks
Registration File Preparation
Electronic Filing and Follow-up
Post-Registration
Advantages
Steps to Obtain
Areas of Work
We handle the registration journey from filing to issuance, verifying compliance with legal conditions.
We handle defense through SAIP complaints and competent commercial courts.
Extra data
Literary Works Registration
We register books, articles, research, stories, and novels with precision preserving life + 50 years protection.
Software Registration
We register software code, databases, and applications to protect from unauthorized copying.
Artistic and Musical Works
We register musical works, songs, paintings, sculptures, designs, photography with official documentation.
Films and Audiovisual Works
We register films, documentaries, audiovisual content for channels and digital platforms.
Use Licensing and Rights Transfer
We assist in drafting licensing contracts or transferring economic rights while preserving moral rights.
Infringement Complaints and SAIP Defense
We follow up infringement complaints before SAIP and judicial follow-up before commercial courts.
FAQs
- Do I need to register my work for protection?
No, protection is automatic upon creation. However, SAIP registration grants conclusive legal evidence.
- How long does registration take?
Typically one to four weeks from complete compliant application submission.
- What is the copyright protection duration?
Life + 50 years for general works. 50 years from publication for collective/corporate/software/audiovisual works. 25 years for applied arts and photographic works.
- Are software programs protected by copyright?
Yes, source code is protected by copyright. Embedded technical ideas may be patent-eligible in special cases.
- What do I do upon discovering infringement?
We file SAIP complaint for administrative action and lawsuit before competent commercial court.
