The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The membership will come into force as of Saturday 26th Ramadan 1434 H. corresponding to August 3, 2013 G. By that date, the kingdom will be able to take advantage of all the benefits of the treaty. The treaty aims to provide a global system which makes it easier for inventors to file requests for protection of their inventions in 148 countries representing all Member States in the Treaty. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to support scientific research, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Suwailem said that the Kingdom's accession to the treaty comes from the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, to support innovation and creativity in the Saudi society in order to achieve national economic development and contributes to the transfer of technology through the protection of inventions as well as more research works of national research centers at universities and other institutions of government and the private sector, including the inventions of individuals. He stressed that the Kingdom recognizes the importance of intellectual property and its role in protecting the rights of inventors and creators. --SPA
