The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has introduced a Fast Track Examination (FTE) service for patent applications, providing applicants with an accelerated route for the examination of eligible patent filings. The initiative is designed to support innovation and expedite the patent prosecution process for qualifying applications.

Accelerated Examination Timeline

Under the FTE program, the examination process is expected to be completed within 60 days. However, it is not yet clear when this timeframe begins to run or which stages of the examination process are covered by the 60-day period. Further clarification is expected in due course from the Registry.

Official Fees

The official fees for requesting the FTE service are as follows:

• Individuals: SAR 1,000
• Corporate applicants: SAR 5,000

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the FTE service, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Saudi Arabia must be the first country in which the patent application is filed
• A substantive examination must not have commenced at the time the FTE request is submitted
• The application must relate to one of the technical fields or products identified in SAIP's FTE Guide as eligible for accelerated examination

Practical Considerations

Applicants interested in utilising the FTE service should assess their eligibility at an early stage, particularly with respect to the first-filing requirement and the status of substantive examination. These conditions may have a significant impact on filing strategies and the availability of the accelerated examination route.

We are monitoring developments and will provide updates as soon as they are available.