Doing Business in Saudi Arabia - International Franchise Association

Moreover, the highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia has condemned software piracy in a
fatwa, or religious edict. Nevertheless, and although intellectual property protection has steadily
increased in the Kingdom, piracy remains a problem.
American firms wishing to sell products/services in Saudi Arabia should work through their local
representative to register their trademarks with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
copyrighted products with the Ministry of Information, and patents with King Abdulaziz City for
Science & Technology (KACST) or the GCC Patent Office. Although these government entities
are responsible for IPR protection in their respective areas, a reported incident of piracy or
infringement may not entail immediate and decisive action by the concerned government entity.
Patent and trademark protection and enforcement remain cumbersome and inconsistent.
Additional information on Saudi Arabia’s protection of property rights, trademarks, and patents is
addressed in more detail in Chapter 6 (Investment Climate).
Due Diligence Return to top
The U.S. Commercial Service in Saudi Arabia offers the International Company Profile (ICP)
report, which provides detailed information on a specific Saudi company and comments based
on information from the U.S. Embassy’s Commercial Section.
Local Professional Services Return to top
There are service providers in Saudi Arabia offering professional services to foreign and
domestic firms alike. The U.S. Commercial Service maintains a list of such Business Service
Providers on its website; these local “BSPs” pay a nominal fee for an annual listing.
The websites of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the U.S. Consulates General in Dhahran and
Jeddah provide access to various business-support networks, including lawyers, translators,
and a representative group of other service providers that offer their professional services to
U.S. exporters and investors interested in Saudi Arabia:
U.S. Embassy — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Public Services in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Translators, Tax Assistance, Hospitals, Law Firms)
U.S. Consulate General — Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Public Services in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (Translators, Tax Assistance, Hospitals, Law Firms)
U.S. Consulate General — Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Public Services in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Translators, Tax Assistance, Hospitals, Law Firms)
Web Resources Return to top
Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority Saudi Arabian Standards Organization
Saudi Industrial Development Fund Saline Water Conversation Corporation
Water and Electricity Company Saudi Telecommunications Company
Foreign Credit Insurance Association Saudi Aramco
Middle East Broadcasting Corporation Arab Radio & Television
LBC Future Television
Dubai TV New TV
Channel 2 Arabiya