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ARTICLE · 26 FEBRUARY 2026

Saudi Arabia's New Copyright Law: Key Changes And Implications

A&O Shearman
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On Friday, February 13, 2026, Saudi Arabia enacted a new Copyright Law, which will replace the previous Copyright Law issued in 2003.

Saudi ArabiaIntellectual Property
Hosam Ibn Ghaith
Hosam Ibn Ghaith
Tom Butcher
Tom Butcher
Daniel Goddard
Daniel Goddard
Sonal Dingri
Sonal Dingri
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On Friday, February 13, 2026, Saudi Arabia enacted a new Copyright Law, which will replace the previous Copyright Law issued in 2003.

The new law (Royal Decree No. M/169 dated 14/08/1447 AH) represents a significant modernization of the Kingdom's intellectual property framework, introducing expanded protections and enhanced enforcement mechanisms to ensure the Kingdom's laws reflect modern practices.

This alert highlights the key changes and the implications for rights holders and organizations operating in Saudi Arabia.

Overview

The new Copyright Law establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of copyright in the Kingdom. The new law will come into force on 1 August 2026, and the implementing regulations to the new law should be issued by such date.

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