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Collegial exchange and plans for cooperation

DPMA President meets CEO of the Saudi Arabian Intellectual Property Authority

The President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA), Eva Schewior, has exchanged views with the CEO of the Saudi Intellectual Property Authority, Dr Abdulaziz Muhammad Al-Swailem, on important topics of industrial property protection. In addition to current initiatives by both offices, the meeting in Munich focused on application developments, digitalisation and possible future cooperation.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has made intellectual property one of its priorities, which included the establishment of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

Saudi Arabia's resulting National IP Strategy aims to maximise the intangible benefits and attributes associated with intellectual property. The intellectual property protection system is to be structured and aligned in such a way that it can be harmonised and integrated with the economic development systems. Thus, SAIP informs inventors in the Kingdom about all services and products through its website and other media. Campaigns to raise awareness of intellectual property and the enforcement of rights in individual regions of the Kingdom are presented and promoted.

Both heads of office provided information on the current business situation and the latest developments at their offices. President Schewior reported on the further digitalisation of the office and the use of AI-based tools to accelerate the examination of applications. Dr Abdulaziz Muhammad Al-Swailem reported that SAIP had already undergone rapid development.

The number of patent applications has more than doubled in the past ten years. In this context, Dr Al-Swailem also referred to the important work of the examiners, who made the system of industrial property protection possible in the first place.

In recent years, the SAIP has developed a national strategy for the protection of intellectual property in coordination with national ministries and international and national organisations. Among other things, this should also strengthen international strategic partnerships. President Schewior agreed to increased cooperation between the SAIP and the DPMA. For example, an exchange of experience for examiners in the fields of patents and trade marks is planned for next year.

Last updated: 4 October 2024