Opposition Against a Mark Using a Religious Symbol

A company filed a registration using a religious symbol in a commercial way that could be construed as disrespectful. The registration conflicted with the article barring registrations contrary to public order.

We filed an opposition under Saudi trademark law that prohibits registration of anything conflicting with religious values. We presented an analysis of the inappropriate use.

The Authority rejected the registration. The Kingdom subsequently issued guidance on the limits of commercial registration involving religious symbols.