20,000th Patent Granted by SAIP Reflects Accelerated Growth

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has announced the issuance of its 20,000th patent, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Kingdom’s intellectual property system. The achievement reflects the ongoing expansion of the national innovation environment and the steady increase in demand for patent protection.

The Saudi patent system was established in 1989, with the first patent granted in 1995. Patent number 10,000 was issued in 2022. In less than three years, that figure has doubled; this underscores efforts to streamline procedures and enhance service delivery. The acceleration in granting patents is attributed to recent improvements in regulatory frameworks and examination systems.

The first quarter of 2025 also saw a notable increase in domestic filings. A total of 345 patents were granted to Saudi nationals during this period, representing a 16% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year. This trend points to growing engagement with intellectual property protection across the country.

The issuance of the 20,000th patent serves as an indicator of the Kingdom’s broader strategic objectives in fostering innovation and protecting intellectual assets. It also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s positioning as an emerging regional hub for technology, research, and development.