Riyadh, November 23, 2024 – In a momentous development for the global creative industries, Saudi Arabia successfully hosted the Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, culminating in the formal adoption of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty by representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states. The treaty, which aims to establish a unified legal framework to enhance the protection of designers’ rights worldwide, represents a major milestone in international intellectual property law and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a leader in global innovation.
The Riyadh Design Law Treaty is a significant advancement in the protection of intellectual property for designers and creators, aiming to streamline and harmonize the design registration process across WIPO member states. It establishes a robust legal framework that promotes the safeguarding of creative works, ensuring that designers can more effectively protect their intellectual property in the global marketplace. The treaty also facilitates the international recognition of design rights, contributing to the broader objective of fostering innovation and creativity across industries and regions.
Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Suwailem, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), emphasized the pivotal role of Saudi Arabia in shaping this landmark agreement. He stated, “The name ‘Riyadh Treaty’ reflects Saudi Arabia’s central position as a bridge between cultures and as a hub for driving global initiatives forward. The adoption of this treaty is a historic achievement that underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing international cooperation in intellectual property law. It opens new pathways for collaboration among member states and lays the foundation for vital legal frameworks that will benefit designers and further promote innovation worldwide.”
This treaty underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to advancing a sustainable future for creators, innovators, and designers, both regionally and globally. It reinforces the Kingdom’s status as a premier destination for fostering a thriving creative ecosystem, one that encourages the protection of intellectual property while supporting the expansion of global creative industries. With this treaty in place, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate its leadership and strategic role in the global intellectual property landscape.
The Diplomatic Conference, which took place from November 11 to 22, 2024, brought together representatives from WIPO’s 193 member states, along with high-level decision-makers and intellectual property experts. The successful conclusion of the conference and the adoption of the treaty further solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as a key player in the international intellectual property community. The Kingdom’s hosting of the event, in collaboration with WIPO, marks a significant achievement in the global effort to support and protect designers' rights, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation and innovation worldwide.
With the Riyadh Design Law Treaty now officially adopted, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate its leadership in shaping a legal framework that promotes creativity, protects intellectual property, and supports the dynamic growth of design industries globally. This treaty is expected to have far-reaching impacts, both for designers seeking to safeguard their works and for nations striving to strengthen their intellectual property laws in a rapidly evolving global economy.