Saudi Public Prosecution approves establishment of intellectual property body

Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution has approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Prosecution. (SPA)
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Updated 14 February 2024
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Saudi Public Prosecution approves establishment of intellectual property body

  • Body will be tasked with investigating, initiating criminal proceedings related to IP rights infringements

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution has approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Prosecution, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The move is in line with the National Intellectual Property Strategy, which was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and aims to create a superior framework for the provision, organization, and enhancement of judicial services regarding intellectual property matters.

The new body will be tasked with investigating and initiating criminal proceedings in cases related to intellectual property rights infringements as outlined in the Kingdom’s trademark law, copyright protection law, and the law of patents, layout designs of integrated circuits, plant varieties, and industrial designs.

The body will comprise a team of skilled public prosecutors, specifically trained and equipped with the necessary competencies to deal appropriately with intellectual property rights violations.

It hopes to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, and highlights efforts to achieve speedy justice against intellectual property violations, the SPA added.
 


Kingdom arrests 18,200 illegals in one week

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Kingdom arrests 18,200 illegals in one week

RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 18,200 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 11,442 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 3,931 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,827 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,762 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 53 percent were Ethiopian, 46 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 46 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 11 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.