Saudi Arabia Joins the Madrid Protocol: What It Means for Trademark Protection from 8 October 2026
From 8 October 2026, the Madrid Protocol enters into force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Trademark owners in the Kingdom can then extend protection internationally through a single centralized system, and foreign brand owners can designate Saudi Arabia in their international applications. National registration with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) remains available. This article explains what changes for foreign and Saudi companies, what Madrid filing does and does not guarantee, and how to choose the right route.
When Does the Madrid Protocol Take Effect in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has been a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 1982 and is a party to more than 14 WIPO treaties. On 8 July 2026, the Kingdom deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol (1989), which will enter into force for Saudi Arabia on 8 October 2026.
The accession reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its intellectual property framework, expanding services to beneficiaries, and making the national economy more competitive. It lets rights holders use international systems that make it easier to protect trademarks and industrial designs at both international and national levels.
What Is the Madrid System?
The Madrid System is an international system that lets trademark owners seek protection in the member countries it covers through one centralized system. As of the date of entry into force, it covers 133 countries.
What Does the Accession Mean for Foreign Companies?
Foreign companies outside the Kingdom that want to extend trademark protection to Saudi Arabia can now designate Saudi Arabia in their international trademark applications, seeking protection in the Kingdom through the Madrid System.
What Does the Accession Mean for Saudi Companies?
Saudi Companies Protecting Their Trademarks Abroad Through Madrid
A Saudi company that wants to protect its trademark outside the Kingdom through the Madrid System must first have a trademark application or basic registration in Saudi Arabia. It can then file an international application to seek protection in other member countries of the system, which covers 133 countries as of the date of entry into force.
Saudi Companies Protecting Their Trademarks Only in the Kingdom
National trademark registration with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) remains available. Trademark owners can continue to register in Saudi Arabia without seeking international protection. The Madrid System is an additional route for international protection and does not replace national registration.
Does a Madrid Application Guarantee Protection in All 133 Countries?
No. Protection in each country covered by the system is subject to examination by that country under its own laws and regulations. Filing an international application under the Madrid System does not automatically register the trademark in all 133 countries, because each country examines the application separately.
National Filing or Madrid: Which Route Fits Your Objective?
| Your objective | Route |
| Protect the trademark within Saudi Arabia only | Continue filing a national trademark application with SAIP under the applicable procedures. |
| Obtain protection in member countries of the Madrid System | Use the international registration system under the Madrid Protocol. |
Conclusion: Review Your Trademark Strategy Before 8 October
The entry into force of the Madrid Protocol in Saudi Arabia on 8 October 2026 adds another option to the available mechanisms for trademark protection. It does not replace national registration procedures. Instead, it provides an additional international route through which Saudi and foreign companies can expand and manage trademark protection when operating across multiple markets.
Companies with regional or international expansion plans should assess whether the Madrid System belongs in their intellectual property protection strategy. Trademark owners with registered marks, or those planning expansion outside the Kingdom, should review their strategy based on the number of target countries, their expansion plans, and the scope of protection required.
As accredited intellectual property agents before SAIP, AHYSP Law Firm provides full services to trademark owners registering locally through SAIP or internationally through the Madrid Protocol, including advice and follow-up on the relevant regulatory requirements on the client’s behalf. To discuss your trademark portfolio, contact us at info@ahysp.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Madrid Protocol enter into force in Saudi Arabia?
On 8 October 2026. Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of accession on 8 July 2026.
Can foreign companies now protect their trademarks in Saudi Arabia through Madrid?
Yes. From the entry into force, Saudi Arabia can be designated in international trademark applications under the Madrid System.
What does a Saudi company need before filing an international application?
A trademark application or basic registration in Saudi Arabia.
Can I still register a trademark directly with SAIP?
Yes. National registration with SAIP remains available; the Madrid System is an additional route, not a replacement.
Does one Madrid application register my trademark in all 133 countries?
No. Each country examines the application under its own laws and regulations.
