Saudi Arabia has officially modernized its intellectual property landscape through Royal Decree No. M/169. The Kingdom’s new Copyright Law (replacing the previous 2003 statute) entered into force on August 12, 2026, with supplementary Implementing Regulations gazetted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).

Key Statutory Provisions & Digital Mechanics

The updated framework aligns the Kingdom’s IP rules with Vision 2030 digital economy initiatives and establishes explicit parameters around emerging technologies:

• Express AI Model Training Exception (Article 26): Allows the reproduction of lawfully published works for training AI algorithms without rightsholder consent or royalty obligations, provided the material was lawfully acquired, reproduction is strictly limited to the necessary purpose, and output does not conflict with normal exploitation.
• Mandatory AI Record-Keeping: Under Article 30 of the Implementing Regulations, AI developers in Saudi Arabia must maintain detailed logs (source, type of work, purpose, date of use) of training inputs to present to regulatory authorities upon request.
• Platform Safe Harbor Rules: Shields online intermediaries and internet service providers from secondary copyright infringement liability if they act in a purely automatic technical host capacity, lack actual knowledge of infringement, and implement notice-and-takedown mechanics.
• Digital “Making-Available” & Cloud Rights: Modernizes legacy broadcast definitions to explicitly cover cloud services, digital streaming, and temporary technical cache copies under statutory protection.
• Enhanced Penalties: Significantly increases criminal deterrents for commercial copyright infringement, raising maximum fines to SAR 1 million (and up to SAR 2 million for repeat offenders) along with potential custodial sentences.

Actionable Compliance Steps for Digital Enterprises

To ensure operational compliance under Saudi Arabia’s updated statute:

Coordinate Across Multi-Agency Authorities: Note that enforcement and administration are now shared across SAIP, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), the Ministry of Culture, and ZATCA (border measures).

Audit AI Training Input Logs: Verify that all data ingested by AI systems operating or deployed in Saudi Arabia originates from lawfully accessible sources, and institute logging mechanisms for dataset inputs.

Deploy Notice-and-Takedown Workflows: Ensure hosting providers and digital platforms configure explicit notice tools and swift content removal protocols to secure statutory safe harbor protections.

Re-align Streaming & Software Licensing Contracts: Re-examine digital distribution agreements to ensure explicit coverage of on-demand streaming, cloud reproduction, and enforceable software license terms (e.g., click-wrap/installation agreements).

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