The treaty’s adoption, after two decades of deliberation, was announced at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare WIPO event held outside Geneva for the first time in over a decade. This landmark occasion also marked the first WIPO diplomatic conference hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
A Unified Approach to Design Protection
The Riyadh Treaty establishes a streamlined and standardized framework for design protection across member states, simplifying registration procedures and creating consistent requirements globally. The agreement, reached after two weeks of intensive negotiations, is expected to empower designers to protect their creations more effectively, facilitating access to international markets.
A Platform for Saudi Innovation
At the treaty’s conclusion, Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, highlighted the economic opportunities the treaty unlocks. He emphasized its potential to transform Saudi designs into valuable, tradable assets, bolstering the creative industries.
“Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its leadership as a bridge between cultures and a global hub for innovation,” Al-Suwailem stated, adding that naming the agreement the Riyadh Treaty underscores the Kingdom's growing influence in advancing intellectual property initiatives worldwide.
A Catalyst for Global Innovation
The treaty aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision of fostering international collaboration in creative industries while supporting global innovators. By laying critical legal foundations, the agreement aims to drive innovation, protect designers’ rights, and promote sustainable growth in the creative economy.
The Riyadh Treaty’s adoption signals a new era of global cooperation in intellectual property, cementing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in building a sustainable and inclusive future for innovators worldwide.
