The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property will enter into force, with respect to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on March 11, 2004. Article (4) of the Convention stipulates that any person, who has duly filed an application for a patent in one of the countries of the Paris Union, or his successor in title, shall enjoy, for the purpose of filing in other countries, a right of priority within 12 months of filing the application in the home country.
In preparation for adherence to the aforesaid Article, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (which functions as the Patent Office) announces that they shall not receive any applications in respect of already disclosed patents, and shall reject any application claiming priority exceeding 12 months as from February 07, 2004 (the first working day after Eid Holidays which started January 27, 2004).