RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/ACC/SAU/43
24 June 1999
(99-2583)
Working Party on the Accession
of the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaOriginal:  English
ACCESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Action Plan for the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement
The Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia has submitted the following
Action Plan for the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement.
_______________WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 2
Action Plan for the Implementation of the TRIPS Agreement
TRIPS (Copyright)
Action Already
Taken2nd half
19991st half
20002nd half
20001st half
20012nd half
20012002
-   Copyright Law is
in force since 1990.-   The foreign
authors enjoyed the
copyright
protection after
13/7/1995 when theKingdom became a
UCC member.
-   The IPR
Technical
Committee and theWIPO experts
independently had
identified points of
conformity and
nonconformity with
TRIPS
requirements.-   The first draft of
COPYRIGHT
LAW amendment is
currently under
preparation.-   Review of the
draft amendment bythe IPR Technical
Committee and
WIPO experts.
Selection of
additionalmanpower.-   Review of the
draft amendment bythe Bureau of
Experts at the
Council of
Ministers to ensure
harmonization withother national laws.
-   Circulation of
the draft
amendment  by the
Bureau to allgovernment
departments for
their comments and
modify the draft
accordingly in
consultation with
the Ministry ofInformation.
-   Hiring of
additional
manpower.
-   Training of thestaff.
-   Open additional
branches at
Kingdom entrances
and main cities.-   Review of the
modified draftamendment by the
Consultative
Council.
-   Approval of the
amended CopyrightLaw by the Council
of Ministers.
-   Enactment by a
Royal decree.
-   Prepareimplementing
regulations and
guidelines.
-    Continue the
manpower training.-    Finalize
implementingregulations and
guidelines.
-    Enactment of
these regulations by
the Minister ofInformation.
-    Prepare texts of
amendments and
implementing
regulations fordissemination to
start the
implementation.
-    Continue the
manpower training.
-    Open additionalbranches at
Kingdom entrances
and main cities.-    Incorporate the
amended law andimplementing
regulations in the
office system and
start
implementation.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 3Action Already
Taken2nd half
19991st half
20002nd half
20001st half
20012nd half
20012002
-   Supply offices
with additional
needed hardware
and network.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 4
TRIPS (Trademarks)
Action Already
Taken2nd half
19991st half
20002nd half
20001st half
20012nd half
20012002
-   The Trademarks
Law is in force
since 1984.
-   Points ofconformity and
non-conformity
with the TRIPS
obligations have
been identified bythe IPR Technical
Committee AND
WIPO experts
independently.
-   First draft ofamendments is
currently under
preparation.-   Review of the
draft amendment by
the IPR Technical
Committee andWIPO expert.-   Review of the
draft amendment by
the Bureau of
Experts at theCouncil of
Ministers to ensure
harmonization with
other national laws.
-   Circulation ofthe draft
amendment  by the
Bureau to all
government
departments fortheir comments and
modify the draft
accordingly in
consultation with
the Ministry of
Commerce-   Review of the
modified draft
amendment by the
ConsultativeCouncil.
-   Approval of the
amended
Trademarks Law by
the Council ofMinisters.
-   Enactment by a
Royal decree.
-   Prepare
implementingregulations and
guidelines.-   Finalize
implementing rules,
regulations and
guidelines.-   Enactment of
these rules and
regulations by the
Minister of
Commerce.-   Prepare texts of
amendments, rules
and regulations for
dissemination to
start theimplementation.-   Incorporate the
amended law, rules
and regulations in
the office systemand start
implementation.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 5Action Already
Taken2nd half
19991st half
20002nd half
20001st half
20012nd half
20012002
-   Selection of
additional
manpower.-   Hiring  of
additional
manpower.
-   Conduct first
phase of training
for the new staff.-   Supply offices
with additional
needed hardware.
-   Public awareness
seminar.-   Upgrade the
database of the
Trademarks office.
-   Establish linkage
with Customs and
other relatedgovernment bodies.
-   Selection of
additional
manpower.
-   Continuetraining.-   Start setting up
of two new branch
offices in East and
West Provinces.
-   Hiring of
additionalmanpower for the
new offices.
-   Conduct first
phase of training
for the new staff,and
-   Additional
training for old
staff.-   Link the new
branches with the
main office in
Riyadh and start
them running in
proper order.-   Public awareness
seminar.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 6
TRIPS (Patents)
Action Already
Taken2nd half
19991st half
20002nd half
20001st half
20012nd half
20012002
-  The Patent Law
already operative
since 1989.
The IP Technical
Committee and the
WIPO experts
independently had
identified points of
conformity andnon- conformity
with TRIPS.
-  Review and
redrafting of the
Law had beenstarted by a
Working Group
within KACST.-  Continue and
finalizing the
amendments of the
Law by the saidWorking Group.
-  Selection and
hiring additional
manpower.
-  Supplying with
additional needed
hardware.
-  Conduct
condensed training
for new and otherstaff.-  Reviewing of
draft amended Law
by the Bureau of
Experts (Council ofMinisters) to ensure
a harmony with
other national laws.
-  Circulation of the
draft Law to allgovernment
departments for
comments.
-  Selection and
hiring additionalmanpower.
Continue training
for new and other
staff.
-  Public awareness
activities.-  Reviewing and
approval of the
modified draft Law
by the ConsultativeCouncil.
-  Drafting
Implementing
Rules, Regulations
and Guidelines.-  Upgrading the
database of patents.
-  Hiring additional
manpower.
-  Continue trainingfor new and other
staff.
-  Public awareness
activities-  Approval of the
amended Patents
Law by the Council
of Ministers.
-  Enactment of the
Law by a Royal
Decree.
-  Continue drafting
the ImplementingRules, Regulations
and Guidelines.
-  Continue
upgrading the
database of patents.-  Selection and
hiring additional
manpower.
-  Continue training
for new and other
staff.
-  Public awarenessactivities.-  Finalizing the
Implementing
Rules, Regulations
and Guidelines.
-  Modifying
Forms.
Continue training
for new and other
staff.-  Public awareness
activities-  Enactment of
Rules and
Regulations by
KACST.
-  Incorporate the
amended Law,
Rules and
Regulation in the
system and startimplementation.
-  Publication of the
Law, Rules and
Regulations.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 7 TRIPS (Geographical Indications)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 2002
-  Protection for
Geographical
Indications is not
incorporated in theTrademark Law,
and in the Law to
combat
Commercial Fraud,
both implementedby the Ministry of
Commerce.
-  Provisions related
to the protection of
GeographicalIndications are
found to be in
conformity with the
TRIPS obligations.
-  Protection of
appellations of
Origin for wine andspirits is not
provided, such
protection is
prohibited by
Islamic rules.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 8
TRIPS (Industrial Designs)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 1st &2nd half 2002
-  No Law at
present.
-  Authorization of
KACST asresponsible for
drafting and
administering the
Law.
-  A draft Law - notfully in conformity
with TRIPS – has
been previously
formulated.
-  Points ofunconformity have
been identified by
KACST.
-  A Working
Group to redraft the
Law has been
established withinKACST.-  Redrafting the
proposed Law will
be finalized by the
said WorkingGroup to be
consistence with
TRIPS.
-  Selection and
hiring neededmanpower.
-  Conduct
condensed training
for new staff.-  Review of the
draft Law by the
Bureau of Experts
(Council ofMinisters) to ensure
a harmony with
other national laws.
-  Circulation of
draft Law togovernment
departments for
comments.
-  Drafting
ImplementingRules, Regulations
and Guidelines.
-  Hiring additional
manpower.
-  Conduct training
for new staff.
-  Supply withadditional needed
hardware.-  Review of the
drafted Law by the
Consultative
Council.
-  Continue drafting
Implementing
Rules, Regulations
and Guidelines.
-  Establishingneeded database of
the Industrial
Designs
applications.
-  Hiring additionalmanpower.
-  Continue training.
-  Public awareness
activities.-  Approval of the
Industrial Designs
Law by the
ConsultativeCounsel
-  Continue drafting
Implementing
Rules, Regulations
and Guidelines.-  Hiring additional
manpower.
-  Conduct training
for the new staff
-  Additionaltraining for other
staff.
-  Public awareness
activities.-  Approval of the
Industrial Designs
Law by the Council
of Ministers
-  Enactment of
Law by a Royal
decree.
-  Finalize drafting
ImplementingRules, Regulations
and Guidelines.
-  Prepare needed
Forms.
-  Additionaltraining for other
staff.
-  Public awareness
activities.-  Enactment of
Rules and
Regulations by
KACST.
-  Incorporate the
new Law, Rules
and Regulations inthe system and start
implementation-  Publication of the
Law, Rules and
Regulations.
-  Public awareness
activities.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 9TRIPS (Plant Varieties)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 1st half 2002 2nd half 2002
-  No Law at
present.
Authorization  of
KACST asresponsible for
drafting new
Law and
administering
this activity.-  A Working
Group to fulfil
this obligation
has been
establishedwithin KACST.
-  The Working
Group discussed
the legal
alternatives of
providing the
protection.-  UPOV Model
Law has been
reviewed.-  Deciding for
drafting a Law
or alternatively
adding newArticles to the
Patents Law.
-  Consulting the
Ministry of
Agriculture andWater on the
issue.
-  Consulting
more experts on
the issue.-  Starting
drafting the Law.-  Continue
drafting the Law.
-  Determining
manpower andother needs.
-  Selection and
hiring needed
manpower.
-  Conducttraining-  Sending the
Draft Law to the
Council of
Ministers.-  Review of the
Draft Law by the
Bureau of
Experts (Council
of Ministers) toensure harmony
with other
national laws.
-  Selection and
hiringmanpower.
-  Conduct
training
-  Supply Office
with needed
hardware.
-  Publicawareness
activities.-  Circulation of
the Draft Law by
the Bureau to all
governmentdepartments for
their comments.
-  Prepare
Implementing
Rules,Regulations and
Guidelines.
-  Continue
supplying Office
with needs.-  Public
awareness
activities.-  Review of the
draft Law by the
Consultative
Council.-  Continue
preparing
Implementing
Rules,
Regulations andGuidelines.
-  Establish
administrative
database of the
plant varietiesapplications
-  Hiring
manpower.
-  Continue
training
-  Public
awarenessactivities.-  Continue
Review of the
draft Law by the
ConsultativeCouncil.
-  Finalize
Implementing
Rules,
Regulations andGuidelines.
-  Prepare
needed Forms.-  Hiring
manpower.-  Continue
training
-  Public
awareness
activities.-  Approval of
the Plant
Varieties Law by
the Council ofMinisters.
-  Enactment by
a Royal decree.
-  Enactment of
Rules andRegulations by
KACST.
-  Publication of
the Law, Rules
and Regulations.-  Incorporate the
Law, Rules and
Regulation in the
system and start
implementation.
-  Public
awarenessactivities.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 10
TRIPS (Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 1st half 2002 2nd half 2002
-  No Law at
present.
-  Authorization
of KACST as
responsible for
drafting new
Law and
administeringthis activity.
-  A Working
Group to fulfil
this obligation
has beenestablished
within KACST.
-  Upon request,
a proposed
Layout Designs
Law has been
drafted byWIPO.-  Consulting
more experts on
the issue.
-  Reviewing theWIPO proposed
law.
-  Deciding for
drafting a Law or
alternativelyadding new
Articles to the
Patents Law.
-  Starting
drafting the Law.-  Continue
drafting the Law.
-  Determining
manpower andother needs.
-  Selection and
hiring needed
manpower.
-  Conducttraining-  Completing
the drafting of
Law.
-  Sending theDraft Law to the
Council of
Ministers.
-  Review of the
Draft Law by theBureau of
Experts (Council
of Ministers) to
ensure a
harmony withother national
laws.
-  Selection and
hiring
manpower.
-  Conduct
training-  Supply Office
with needed
hardware.-  Circulation of
the Draft Law by
the Bureau to all
governmentdepartments for
comments.
-  Prepare
Implementing
Rules,Regulations and
Guidelines.
-  Continue
supplying Office
with needs.-  Public
awareness
activities.-  Review of the
draft Law by the
Consultative
Council.-  Continue
preparing
Implementing
Rules,
Regulations andGuidelines.
-  Establish
administrative
database of the
layout designsapplications
-  Hiring
manpower.
-  Continue
training.
-  Public
awarenessactivities.-  Continue
Review of the
draft Law by the
ConsultativeCouncil.
-  Finalize
Implementing
Rules,
Regulations andGuidelines.
-  Prepare needed
Forms.
-  Hiring
manpower.
-  Continue
training.
-  Public
awareness
activities.-  Approval of
the Layout
Designs Law by
the Council ofMinisters.
-  Enactment by
a Royal decree.
-  Enactment of
Rules andRegulations by
KACST.
-  Publication of
the Law, Rules
and Regulations.-  Incorporate the
Law, Rules and
Regulation in the
system and start
implementation.
-  Public
awarenessactivities.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 11TRIPS (Undisclosed Information)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 2002
-  The protection of
undisclosed
information is
covered by IslamicRules and certain
specific Laws, such
as the companies
Law, Patent Law.
-  A proposal Lawof Unfair
Competition is
currently under
review by the
Ministry ofCommerce.
It contains
provisions related
to the protection of
trade secrets.-  Review of the
draft law by the IPR
Technical
Committee andWIPO experts.-  Review of the
draft law by the
Bureau of Experts
at the Council ofMinisters to ensure
harmonization with
other national laws.
-  Circulation of the
draft law by theBureau to all
government
departments for
their comments and
modify the draftaccordingly in
consultation with
the Ministry of
Commerce.-  Review of the
draft law by the
Consultative
Council.-  Approval of the
draft law by the
Council of
Ministers.
-  Enactment by aRoyal decree.
-  Prepare
implementing
regulations and
guidelines.-  Finalize
implementing
regulations and
guidelines.-  Enactment of the
regulations by the
Minister of
Commerce.
-  Prepare texts ofthe law and
implementing
regulations for
dissemination to
start theimplementation.-  Incorporate the
new law, and
implementing
regulations in theoffice system and
start
implementation.
-  Continue
Training.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 12
TRIPS (Enforcement/Border Measures)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 2002
-  Draft Customs
procedures towards
implementation.
-  Enquire fromWCO, WTO and
WIPO about nature
of technical
assistance that can
be obtained.-  Finalizing
Customs procedures
for implementation.
-  Provide technicalsupplies needed by
the Restriction
Department.
-  Training the
supervisors tobecome instructors
for the Department
personnel.
-   Visit some
countries to gainapplication
experience.
-   Start establishing
database for IP at
the Restriction
Department.
-   Activatecooperation with
international
organizations.-  Training of
manpower.
-  Provide technical
supplies.-  Conduct a trial
application program
for the IP staff.
-   Establish links
with the governmentagencies concerned.-  Continue training.
-  Provide additional
technical supplies.
-  Start trialapplications of
amended laws i.e.
Copyright, Patents
and Trademarks
Laws.-  Start
implementation of
the amended laws
i.e. Copyright,Patents and
Trademarks Laws.- Start
implementation
of the other
TRIPS relatedlaws approved
nationally.WT/ACC/SAU/43
Page 13TRIPS (Enforcement/Legal)
Action Already
Taken2nd half 1999 1st half 2000 2nd half 2000 1st half 2001 2nd half 2001 2002
The General Bureau
of Grievances
reviews disputes
related totrademarks and
considers appeals
against decisions
made by
Committees ofjurisprudence
referred to in :
- Patent Law.
- Copyright Law.-  Review of
amendments to
TRIPS related
regulations oncethey are referred to
the Bureau by
authorities
concerned.
-  Review draft new
regulations with a
view to implement
the Agreement.-  Review of
amendments to
TRIPS related
regulations oncethey are referred to
the Bureau by
authorities
concerned.
-  Review draft new
regulations with a
view to implement
the Agreement.
-  Appointment of
additional judges.-  Appointment of
additional support
staff.-   Review of
amendments to
TRIPS related
regulations oncethey are referred to
the Bureau by
authorities
concerned.
-   Review draft
new regulations
with a view to
implement the
Agreement.
-  Training of
judges and support
staff.-  Appointment of
additional judges.
-  Appointment of
additional supportstaff.-  Training of
judges and support
staff.-  Implementation
of all approved IPR
laws, new and
revised.
__________