Service overview
What is an Industrial Design under the Saudi System
An industrial design is the external aesthetic appearance of a product. It consists of a two-dimensional arrangement of lines and colors, or a three-dimensional shape that gives any industrial product or traditional handicraft a distinctive appearance. It does not protect the technical or functional aspect of the product, but the visual appearance that distinguishes it from competing products. An industrial design certificate grants its holder an exclusive right for 15 years from the filing date, per the recent amendment of the industrial designs law issued in October 2023.
The Difference between Industrial Design and Patent
The difference is substantive and determines the appropriate protection for your product:
| Aspect | Patent | Industrial Design |
|---|---|---|
| What it protects | Technical & functional aspect (how it works) | External visual appearance (how it looks) |
| Protection duration | 20 years | 15 years |
| Protection conditions | Novelty + Inventive Step + Industrial Applicability | New + Original (distinctive) |
| Procedure duration | 3-5 years | 3-9 months |
| Procedure cost | Higher (includes substantive examination) | Lower (mainly formal examination) |
| Example | Mechanical mechanism inside a bottle | External shape of the bottle |
Practical advice: A single product can enjoy both protections — a patent for the technical mechanism + an industrial design for the external shape. This combination doubles the protection scope.
Protection Conditions
A design is not granted a protection certificate unless two conditions are met: novelty (the design must not have been previously published or disclosed anywhere before the filing date), and originality and distinctiveness (the design must differ substantially from designs known in the market). Partial similarity with previous designs negates the originality condition and results in application rejection.
The Substantive 2023 Amendment
The Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs Law was amended on 3 October 2023, under Royal Decree M/27. Most notable for industrial designs: extension of protection duration from 10 years to 15 years; application of the extension to active designs that had not expired at the time of amendment; holders of active designs registered in 2013 onwards must pay the 11th annual fee before 23 May 2024 to benefit from the extended protection duration.
Procedure Stages at SAIP
The process begins with preparing the filing file including drawings and photographs in the statutory specifications, then electronic filing through the SAIP portal and payment of the filing fee. SAIP conducts formal examination and grants a period to remedy any deficiency. Upon meeting conditions, the design is published in the Official Gazette to allow third-party opposition. After the opposition period elapses without substantive objections, the protection document is issued. Total procedure duration ranges between 3 and 9 months.
Government Fees at SAIP
| Item | Individuals | Institutions |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Design Filing Fee | SAR 150 | SAR 300 |
| Official Gazette Publication Fee | Per SAIP schedule | Per SAIP schedule |
| Protection Certificate Issuance Fee | Per SAIP schedule | Per SAIP schedule |
| Design Ownership Transfer Fee | SAR 400 (estimated) | SAR 400 (estimated) |
| Annual Renewal Fees | Progressively increasing | Progressively increasing |
Basic filing fees are sourced directly from saip.gov.sa/services/282/ page. Remaining fees are subject to the SAIP schedule published at content preparation time and may be updated without prior notice.
Drawing and Photograph Specifications
SAIP requirements for drawings and photographs are precise and non-negotiable. Any deviation delays or rejects the application:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Paper Size | A4 |
| Minimum Figure Size | 40 × 40 mm |
| Maximum Figure Size | 252 × 165 mm |
| Dimensions | Two-dimensional or three-dimensional |
| Colors | Black and white or colored (colored defines protected colors) |
| Maximum Number of Figures | 7 figures per design |
| Unprotected Parts | Drawn in dashed lines |
| One Design per Application | Mandatory — cannot combine two designs in one application |
Riyadh Design Law Treaty 2024
In 2024, the Riyadh Design Law Treaty was concluded in partnership with WIPO. This is an international treaty to harmonize design registration procedures across member states. Notable features: ability to include multiple designs in one application under certain conditions, presentation of designs through photographs or video files, retention of original filing date when applications are divided. Motaded can advise on leveraging this treaty once implemented.
When to Choose Industrial Design Protection
Industrial design is the optimal protection when your product has a distinctive external appearance that competitors could easily replicate. In fashion and apparel, it protects innovative designs for 15 years. In electronics, it protects device exteriors without requiring a patent. In furniture manufacturing, it protects unprecedented decorations and shapes. For household products, it protects package and wrapper designs. For new handicrafts, it protects unique patterns and motifs.
Why Motaded
We handle your design registration journey from preparing drawings to SAIP's precise technical specifications until issuance of the protection certificate. We have operational expertise in dealing with SAIP examiners and responding to their formal observations, and we guide you in selecting colors and dashed lines to preserve the optimal protection scope. Motaded packages are inclusive of government fees for listed services, with no additional fees charged.
Packages and Pricing
| Package | Price | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Industrial Design | SAR 6,000 | Initial consultation + drawing preparation to technical specifications + electronic filing + government fee SAR 150/300 + formal examination follow-up. Suitable for a single simple design |
| Standard Industrial Design Package | SAR 10,000 | Everything in Basic + professional 2D and 3D drawing preparation + registration of up to 3 separate designs + examiner observation response + protection certificate issuance |
| Comprehensive Industrial Design Package | SAR 18,000 | Everything in Standard + exploratory search for similar designs + annual fees management for 3 years + defense against one opposition + full follow-through to issuance |
| Additional Services | Case-by-case | Additional oppositions, judicial disputes, design licensing or ownership transfer, annual fees management for years 4-15 |
Package Inclusivity — Covered and Excluded
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Government fees for listed services | ✓ Covered in all packages |
| Technical drawing preparation to specifications | ✓ Covered |
| Legal consultation and follow-up | ✓ Covered |
| Annual fees after first year | ✗ Not covered — per SAIP schedule |
| Ownership transfer after issuance | ✗ Separate service |
| Additional oppositions on third-party applications | ✗ Separate service |
| Professional product photography | ⚠️ As needed |
Service snapshot
Designers & Manufacturers
Service Channels
Protection Duration
Objectives
We secure for our designers an exclusive right over the visual appearance of their products for a full 15 years.
We prepare drawings to A4 dimensions and SAIP's mandatory measurements, carefully selecting colors and dashed lines to preserve protection scope.
We minimize procedure duration by preparing a complete file from the start, avoiding SAIP requests for formal amendments.
Work Tracks
Exploratory Search for Similar Designs
Technical Drawing Preparation
Filing and Follow-up
Annual Fees Management
Steps to Obtain
Areas of Work
We prepare 2D and 3D drawings with A4 dimensions and precise SAIP measurements, in black and white or color per protection scope.
We handle defense of your design against infringement through SAIP and competent commercial courts handling IP disputes.
Extra data
Consumer Product Design Registration
We register perfume bottle designs, packaging, household goods, electronic devices, with SAIP's full technical specifications.
Fashion and Apparel Designs
We protect clothing, accessories, and handicraft designs with official SAIP certificates extending 15 years.
Furniture and Decor Designs
We register furniture, lighting, and interior decor designs with distinctive aesthetic shapes.
Packaging and Wrapper Designs
We register innovative packaging and wrapper designs for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
Ownership Transfer and Design Licensing
We assist in drafting design ownership transfer or licensing contracts preserving your financial rights.
Defense Against Design Imitation
We represent you in defending your design before SAIP and commercial courts in case of imitation or infringement.
FAQs
- What is the industrial design protection duration?
15 years from filing date after the law amendment in October 2023. Previously 10 years.
- Can multiple designs be registered in one application?
No, each design requires a separate application with a separate fee. SAIP's strict rule.
- How long does the procedure take?
Between 3 and 9 months depending on requirement completeness and absence of oppositions.
- Can foreigners register their designs?
Yes, through a registered Saudi-resident agent. Motaded is registered and ready to represent you.
- What is the difference between a design and a patent?
A design protects visual appearance. A patent protects technical mechanism. Both can be combined for the same product.
