Law of Trademarks

The following marks, including signs, logos, and flags, shall not be considered or registered as trademarks: a) Signs devoid of any distinctive features which are considered descriptions of the characteristics of products and services or which are common names customarily given to products or services. b) Any expression, sign, or drawing which violates religion, or which is identical or similar to a symbol of a religious nature. c) Any expression, sign, or drawing inconsistent with public policy or public morality. d) Public logos and flags and other signs, names, or designations relating to the Kingdom, or to a country with which the Kingdom has reciprocal treatment or a country which is party to a multilateral international treaty to which the Kingdom is also party, or to an international or governmental organization; as well as any imitation of such logos, flags, symbols, names, or designations, unless permitted by the owner thereof. e) Official signs and hallmarks of the Kingdom and the countries and organizations referred to in paragraph (d) if such signs and hallmarks indicate their supervision over or guarantee of the products or services, unless permitted by the owner thereof. f) Such provision shall not apply unless the trademark is intended to be placed on the products or services or on similar products or services. g) Geographical names if their use is liable to create confusion as to the source of the products or services or their origin, or liable to monopolize the data of the source or the name of the origin without rightful justification. h) The images of others or their personal or trade names, unless they or their heirs agree to such use. i) Data relating to honorary degrees. The Law of Trademarks j) Data that is liable to mislead the public or contains false data as to the source of the products or services or other descriptions of the products or services as well as trademarks that contain a fictitious, imitated, or forged trade name. k) Trademarks that are identical or similar to famous trademarks in the Kingdom even if they are not registered in the Kingdom in connection with identical or similar goods or services as well as trademarks that are identical or similar to famous trademarks in the Kingdom and registered in the Kingdom in connection with goods or services that are not identical or similar, provided that the owner of the famous trademark is harmed by such use. l) Trademarks owned by natural or legal persons the dealing with whom is prohibited pursuant to a decision issued by the competent authority. m) Signs identical or similar to trademarks already filed or registered by others in connection with identical or similar products or services as well as signs, if registered to certain products or services, which would reduce the value of products or services of others. Part 2: Procedures of Registering and Publicizing Trademarks