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ARTICLE · 28 AUGUST 2026

Saudi Arabia Copyright Law Implementing Regulations: Key Clarifications And Remaining Questions

Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
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Saudi Arabia's new Copyright Law Implementing Regulations, published on 31 July 2026, provide crucial clarity on neighbouring rights, online enforcement mechanisms, software licensing terms, AI training exceptions, and border enforcement procedures. While resolving many practical questions for rights holders and businesses, the framework leaves certain areas—including AI-generated content ownership and collective management society governance—open for future development.

Saudi ArabiaIntellectual Property
Bachir Chakra
Bachir Chakra
Sarah Batarfi
Sarah Batarfi
Muath Alghamdi
Muath Alghamdi
Renad Alhumaidi Al-Harbi
Renad Alhumaidi Al-Harbi
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In our earlier article on Saudi Arabia's new copyright law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/169 dated 14/8/1447 AH, we highlighted a number of areas where further clarity was expected through the Implementing Regulations. Those Regulations have now been published.

On 31 July 2026, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) issued the final Implementing Regulations, which came into force alongside the Copyright Law on 12 August 2026. The Regulations provide important clarification on a range of issues, including neighbouring rights, online enforcement, software licensing, AI training and border enforcement, while leaving some questions unresolved.

For general counsel, rights holders and organisations operating in Saudi Arabia, the practical impact is clear. Rights are better defined, enforcement mechanisms are more developed and technology-related uses now come with clearer conditions. This article examines the key clarifications introduced by the Regulations, the issues

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