Trademark Rejection Objection
A trademark rejection is not the end of the road — it is a decision you can challenge. When the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property issues a rejection, a statutory window of no more than 60 days begins to file a grievance before the Trademark Grievance Committee. At Rights IP we turn a rejection into an acceptance: we analyze the grounds of refusal, draft a robust legal grievance memorandum, and represent you through to the final decision.
You have only 60 days — and the clock does not stop
The 60-day window runs from the date you are notified of the rejection, and it is not extended. Missing it forfeits your right to a grievance and makes the rejection final — leaving you to refile from scratch with a new mark and new fees. Every passing day narrows the rescue window, so reach out the moment you receive the rejection.
What is the Trademark Grievance Committee?
It is a specialized quasi-judicial committee established under the GCC Unified Trademark Law and its implementing regulations. Its mandate is to review trademark owners' grievances against decisions issued by the trademark department at the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property — such as rejection of registration, rejection of an opposition, or cancellation. The committee re-examines the application afresh in light of the memoranda and statutory grounds submitted, and may uphold the rejection or overturn it and order the mark accepted.
When is a trademark application rejected?
A rejection is issued after statutory examination and is usually reasoned: similarity to a mark already registered in the same class, descriptiveness of the mark relative to its product or service, an error in class classification, or non-compliance with the law. The decision is formally notified to you, and the grievance window begins from the date of notification. Reading the grounds of refusal precisely is the foundation of the grievance — each ground calls for a different response strategy.
How we handle your file
We begin with a legal reading of the rejection and its grounds, then run a comparative search of the trademark register to support your position (such as proving your mark differs from the cited mark, or that similar marks were previously accepted). We then prepare the grievance memorandum and file it before the committee within the window, and follow the sessions and responses through to the decision. Our goal is singular: overturn the rejection and have your mark accepted.
The grievance process, step by step
Analyze the rejection
We review the authority's decision and its statutory grounds precisely, determine whether the rejection is total or partial, and identify the legal basis it relied on — to build the right response strategy.
Research and gather evidence
We run a comparative search of the register and precedents and gather the documents that support your mark's distinctiveness or negate the alleged similarity or descriptiveness.
Draft the grievance memorandum
We craft a robust legal memorandum that answers each ground of rejection with statutory argument and evidence, and requests that the decision be overturned and the mark accepted.
File the grievance and pay the fee
We file the grievance before the Trademark Grievance Committee before the 60-day window lapses, and handle payment of the official fee on your behalf.
Follow through to the final decision
We track the grievance, respond to any clarification from the committee, and notify you of the decision the moment it is issued — with a plan for the next step based on the outcome.
Rejection type → rescue strategy
Each ground of rejection calls for a different response. Here is a summary of the most common grounds and the strategy we follow for each:
| Ground of rejection | Rescue strategy in the grievance |
|---|---|
| Similarity to a registered mark | Prove the visual, phonetic and conceptual difference, the difference in class or target audience, or obtain a consent/coexistence from the owner of the cited mark. |
| Descriptiveness of the mark | Highlight the distinctive, inventive element of the mark, prove acquired distinctiveness through use and market reputation, or amend the list of goods/services. |
| Classification error | Correct the class under the international Nice system and realign the goods/services description to remove the technical ground of refusal. |
| Non-compliance with the law | Address the specific point of non-compliance (form, element, or description) and submit an amendment or statutory clarification that removes the ground. |
What does a winning grievance memorandum address?
- A direct response to every ground of rejection in the decision — no ground left unaddressed
- A statutory basis from the trademark law and regulations for each argument we make
- Comparative research and evidence from the register supporting your mark's distinctiveness
- Demonstrating acquired distinctiveness through use, where this is helpful
- A clear, specific request: overturn the rejection and accept the mark for registration
The official fee — and we handle it for you
The official fee to file a grievance before the committee is SAR 1,000, paid to the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, and we handle payment on your behalf as part of our service. Preparation and representation fees are set after reviewing your file and agreed transparently in advance, with no surprises. Contact us for a precise quote — your first consultation is free.
Trademark rejected? Don't lose the 60-day window
Send us the rejection decision now and our team handles the rest — from analysis to filing the grievance.
Start your grievance on WhatsApp Email the rejection decision