RIYADH: Experts in innovation and economics have told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s establishment of a specialized investigative body for intellectual property litigation will motivate innovative projects and attract foreign investment to the country.
The Public Prosecution Council in Saudi Arabia approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Prosecution in mid-February.
The Ministry of Justice, in its statement, indicated that the establishment of the body was decided as an enforcement of the National Intellectual Property Strategy launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, “which includes providing a distinguished environment for providing organizing and developing judicial services in intellectual property’s areas.”
The statement described the Intellectual Property Prosecution as “one of the main enabling factors for achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
This body is concerned with investigating and filing criminal actions in cases related to breaching intellectual property rights stipulated in the trademark system and the copyright protection system, referred by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, in addition to the system of patents and topography for integrated circuits, plant varieties and industrial models.
The ministry said that “these prosecutions will enhance developing the parliament in the comprehensive judicial protection of intellectual property. These prosecutions will have a cadre of qualified public prosecutors who have been trained and acquired the necessary skills according to the standards of legal competence for criminal protection of cases breaching intellectual property rights, which lead to the growth (this sector).”
Abdullah Alakeel, chairman of the Saudi Scientific Research and Innovation Association, said: “Establishing the Intellectual Property Prosecution contributes to developing “an environment that attracts international technologies, innovators and inventors locally and globally.
“The inventor, the innovative, or the creative or technical company owner will guarantee that his rights in the Kingdom will be safe and secure due to the presence of clear laws, regulations,” he said.
Abdullah Al-Hamed, head of investment advisory at GIB Capital, expects that creation of this body will positively preserve rights and confirm the ability to benefit financially and intellectually clearly and authentically the owner of this right. This will reflect a new thinking on the environment for intellectual property and its ability in Saudi Arabia.
