With effect from 8 October 2026, Saudi Arabia will accede to the protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of Trademarks (Madrid Protocol). This adds an important Middle Eastern market to the international Madrid System, which will henceforth comprise 117 members covering a total of 133 countries.
From that date, holders of international trademark registrations will be able to extend protection to Saudi Arabia. Likewise, Saudi Arabia may be designated in new international trademark applications.
This provides a simplified means of obtaining trademark protection through the Madrid System, which is centrally administered by WIPO.
Further details on Saudi Arabia’s accession and its implications can be found in WIPO’s communication of 23 July 2026 (here).