Brief About SAIP

<p>Her Excellency, Shihana Alazzaz, is appointed by a Royal Order issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as an advisor at the Royal Court. In addition, Her Excellency is appointed by a High Order issued by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.<br />
Before that, Her Excellency was appointed by a Royal Order issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, the supreme council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she served from 2022 until 2024 marking a substantial transformation and notable development at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers (“GSCM”) which she headed, including institutionalizing its operations, setting policies, processes, procedures, and guidelines, designing its operating model, digitizing its affairs and transactions, facilitating and accelerating realization, ensuring business continuity, building and transferring know-how and other achievements which reflected positively on GSCM, its role, ease of affairs and elevating its work environment.<br />
Her Excellency has many years of practical experience during which she held several positions at the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 2017 until 2022 starting as the Head of Transactions of its Legal Affairs Department and stepped up to become the General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Directors of PIF as well as serving on several of its executive committees as well as chairing and being a member of the boards and committees of several PIF’s portfolio companies. Before that, she worked at several international law firms from 2008 until 2017, providing legal advice and leading transactions, deals, dispute resolution, settlements, and other legal work in various sectors.<br />
Her Excellency holds a bachelor of law (with honors) from the University of Durham in England and received training at several universities and institutes including INSEAD in France, IMD in Switzerland, and Bocconi University in Italy. She was admitted as an Attorney at Law by the New York State Supreme Court and licensed by the Ministry of Justice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;<br />
Throughout Her Excellency’s career, she has been awarded and recognized by several international and local institutes including being chosen by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, being r recognized among the top 100 most powerful businesswomen in the Middle East by as well as top 20 Arab women in government by Forbes, winning the Women in Business Law Award by the International Financial Law Review as well as being named by Finance Monthly as the “Deal Maker”.</p>


Shihana Saleh Alazzaz

Chairwoman of Board of Directors

<p>His Excellency, Haitham AlOhali, was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Communications &amp; Information Technology (MCIT) in 2018. Prior to his appointment, the Vice Minister held several senior management positions with Cisco Saudi Arabia, finishing his time with the organisation as Managing Director.<br />
While managing director for Cisco Saudi Arabia, his Excellency managed public and private sector partnerships, actively supporting clients' digital transformation journeys. In this role, His Excellency assisted clients across the Government, Healthcare, Education, and National Security &amp; Defense sectors. His Excellency was also a long-time Cisco Saudi Arabia’s CSR board member.<br />
Prior to joining Cisco in 2006, His Excellency was Deputy GM for the ECDL foundation in Saudi (2003-2006), where he focused on the education sector and helped establish an IT literacy program.<br />
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Eng. Haitham Abdulrahman AlOhali

Member

<p><br />
His Excellency Engineer Osama Al-Zamil has extensive experience and a distinguished track record in developing and facilitating industrial investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<br />
He served as the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources from 2019 to 2023, during which he chaired 13 committees and was a member of 31 committees and councils representing the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.<br />
Additionally, he has held numerous positions in the private sector, presided over and participated in various boards of directors and professional committees. Among his most notable roles was serving as the Chairman of the National Industrial Committee at the Federation of Saudi Chambers (formerly the Council of Saudi Chambers) from 2017 to 2019. He was also a board member of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving as Chairman of the Industrial Committee from 2016 to 2019.</p>


Eng. Osama Al-Zamil

<p>His Excellency Mr. Bader bin Abdulrahman Al-Qadi holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Business Administration at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, specializing in Financial Management, and a master's degree in Sports and Recreation Management from ISDE University in Spain.<br />
He began his professional career 20 years ago at SBCH Bank in London before returning to the Kingdom and transitioning to the trade and retail sector, where he worked for 10 years at Procter &amp; Gamble.<br />
He has also held several executive positions in various regional and international companies, most recently serving as CEO of Al-Muteboli United Group - Samsung.<br />
In 2020, he assumed the role of CEO of the General Sports Authority, then worked as an advisor to the Minister of Sports, before a royal decree was issued in September 2021 appointing him as Deputy Minister of Sports.<br />
His Excellency Mr. Bader is a member of several boards and committees, including:<br />
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Board of Directors of the Sports Investment Company<br />
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;National Center for Curricula<br />
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Quality of Life Program Committee<br />
•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Executive Committee of the Saudi Red Sea Authority<br />
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Bader Abdulrahman Al kadi

<p>Acting General Supervisor of the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, and Deputy Governor for the Radio Spectrum and Communications Technology at the Communications and Space and Technology Commission (CST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<br />
With over 15 years of experience in spectrum policy, Dr. Al-Otaibi has held various supervisory positions at multiple levels. He has worked on numerous specialized projects in spectrum management at both the national and international levels. He played an active role in shaping the national frequency spectrum strategy in Saudi Arabia for the period from 2020 to 2025.<br />
Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi has previously held leadership positions, including being the Public Policy Advisor at the Secretariat of the Political and Security Affairs Council of Ministers, the Technical Leader at the Transformation Office at the Communications and Information Technology Commission, and the Director-General for Spectrum at CITC.<br />
He has a strong academic, research, and applied background in quantitative policy analysis, technology, and decision-making. Dr. Al-Otaibi has worked as a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University and Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) in the United States. He implemented innovation projects in digital business models at the Wharton School of Business within the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he applied strategic management for organizational institutions at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and managed technology institutions and leadership in action at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).<br />
Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi holds master's and doctoral degrees in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University. He also earned another master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States and a bachelor's degree in the same field from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<br />
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Dr. Mohammed Awaidh Alotaibi

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ms. Deemah Yahya AlYahya, a Saudi expert in the field of digital economy and a diplomat in technology, is the founding Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and a board member of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. AlYahya was elected as the first Secretary-General of the DCO in April 2021, making her the first Saudi woman to hold a leadership position in an international organization. The DCO is the first independent, multilateral international organization dedicated to fostering global cooperation to accelerate digital transformation in its member states' economies and to achieve an inclusive and sustainable global digital economy.</p>

<p>As Secretary-General of the DCO, Al-Yahya works to build bridges of cooperation and coordinate efforts among heads of state, government ministers, and digital economy leaders in the private sector. Her goal is to align the efforts of stakeholders and key players in the digital economy to collaborate on designing and implementing impactful initiatives that realize the organization's vision: a world where every country, company, and individual has fair opportunities to thrive in an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.</p>

<p>AlYahya is also recognized as a leader of the Edison Alliance for Digital Inclusion and a commissioner on the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. In this role, she is dedicated to advancing digital cooperation to ensure global access to communication technology and bridge the digital divide.</p>

<p>Her passion for technology and commitment to empowering women led her to establish Women Spark, a non-profit organization dedicated to actively contributing to the growth of the digital economy by fostering an environment that provides women with the necessary support to enhance their businesses, establishes direct connections with capital sources that accelerate the growth cycle of startups, and highlights outstanding achievements of technology innovators.</p>

<p>AlYahya holds board seats in several key organizations within Saudi Arabia, including **Saudi National Bank (SNB), the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP), the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP),** and the **E-Commerce Council** in Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>She earned a **bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Information Systems** from **King Saud University in Riyadh in 2002**. She began her career in software development at **Samba Financial Group** before joining **Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul)**, where she became the first woman to work in IT in both institutions. She later transitioned to the **Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia** from 2009 to 2010, serving as Head of Electronic Services, making her the first woman to hold a leadership role at that level.</p>

<p>AlYahya joined **Microsoft** in 2010 and was later promoted in 2013 to **Executive Director of Developer Experience and Digital Innovation**, becoming the first Saudi woman to hold a leadership position at **Microsoft**. In this role, she expanded the developer ecosystem, empowering youth, women, and independent software vendors by providing them with the technology, skills, and tools needed to transition from job seekers to job creators. AlYahya embarked on a global journey through this position, collaborating with multiple governments worldwide, including Singapore, South Korea, and the UK, to help shape their national digital transformation strategies. During her tenure at Microsoft, she helped establish **four innovation centers in Africa, India, and France** and contributed to training **over four million individuals in the Middle East and North Africa**.</p>

<p>Between 2016 and 2017, Al-Yahya led the development of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Strategy, serving as the founding CEO of the Digital Transformation Unit. She conducted negotiations and cooperative efforts with eight ministries, represented the Kingdom’s digital economy and its delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and played a key role in formulating and structuring the country’s digital transformation plans.</p>

<p>AlYahya also played a pivotal role in launching the "Saudi Codes" initiative, which trained more than 1.2 million beneficiaries across 190 cities in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, she contributed to the growth of 120 startups by facilitating financial support amounting to 40 million Saudi Riyals and building strong partnerships with 20 local and international companies and organizations.</p>

<p>She later founded **ALMTD Consulting**, which focuses on enabling more effective public-private partnerships in Saudi Arabia to keep pace with the rapid expansion of the digital economy and drive positive digital transformation.</p>

<p>AlYahya has completed several executive education programs at INSEAD, focusing on digital transformation, business development, international business, and financial management. She has also undertaken executive programs at Harvard Business School, including courses on leadership, innovation culture, and disruptive innovation strategies.</p>


Deemah AlYahya

<p>Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Swailem is the Chief Executive Officer of the &nbsp;Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). He served as Vice President for Scientific Research Support at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) &nbsp;from &nbsp;2010 to 2018. Additionally, he was the &nbsp;Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental Research supervisor at KACST &nbsp;for ten years. Dr. Al-Swailem has chaired several prestigious committees, including the &nbsp;National Committee for Bioethics, the Biotechnology Research Center, the Arab Committee on Ethics of Science and Technology, and the &nbsp;Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee of UNESCO (2009-2011). He has also contributed to various research projects in genomics, proteomics, biosafety, and genetic modification.<br />
Dr. Al-Swailem has led and participated in numerous local and international boards and committees. He currently serves on the Nominations and Remuneration Committee at SAIP, is a board member of the Pharmaceutical Investments Company, and is Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Faisal Specialist Hospital Charity Foundation (Wareef), where he also chairs its Executive Committee. He is also&nbsp; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alinma Wareef Endowment Fund.<br />
Previously, Dr. Al-Swailem served as &nbsp;President of the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (2021-2022) &nbsp;and the &nbsp;Paris Union for the Protection of Industrial Property (2019-2020). He was also the &nbsp;Vice President of the PCT Union (Patent Cooperation Treaty) (2019-2020) at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Additionally, he chaired the &nbsp;Nominations, Remuneration, and Governance Committee at the Suleiman Al-Rajhi Endowment (2021-2022). He was a board member of the National Institute for Health Research and led its &nbsp;Advisory Committee.<br />
Dr. Al-Swailem holds a &nbsp;Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a &nbsp;Master’s in Biochemistry-Hormones from &nbsp;King Saud University. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies and reports in biotechnology, genetic engineering, and bioethics. Additionally, he has participated in many lectures, seminars, and international conferences.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed AlSwailem

Excellence

Passion

Teamwork

Transparency

Beneficiary-centricity

Values

Develop the National Strategy for Intellectual Property.

Raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property and protect its rights.

Express opinion on the international agreements related to intellectual property rights.

Suggesting rules and regulations related to intellectual property rights.

Strengthen the use of intellectual property to build an advanced knowledge-based economy.al bodies.

Establish information bases in the SAIP field of work, and exchange information with local, regional and international bodies.

Register intellectual property rights, grant and enforce their protection documents

License the activities related to the SAIP field of work.

Represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international and regional organizations related to intellectual property rights, and defend its interests.

Provide and make available to the public the intellectual property rights-related information.

Follow up the implementation of obligations resulting from the Kingdom's accession to international intellectual property agreements.

To achieve its objectives, the SAIP shall have the following tasks and functions: 

Tasks & Functions

We Strive to Maximize the Value of IP and Excel in Service Delivery by Cooperation With Our Partners to Drive The National Economy.


Mission

<p>The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property aims to regulate, support, develop, sponsor, protect, enforce and upgrade the fields of intellectual property in the Kingdom in accordance with international best practices, and it is organizationally linked to the Prime Minister.</p>


Attain Excellence in IP Operations 

Improve IP Respect 

Empower IP

Enhance Global IP Influence 

Orchestrate and Improve Organizational Excellence 

To Enable a vibrant IP Ecosystem Locally and Globally

Strategic Pillars 

Vision

Dr. Alexander J. Wurzer

Jackie Yi-Ru Ying

Dr. Christopher V. Carani

Dr.Ali Alhazmi

Dr. Christine Farley

<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The AC is administratively and organizationally linked to the chief executive. It consists of no more than nine members of consultants, researchers, and academic leaders enjoying experience and competence. They are appointed by a decision from the CEO. The CEO shall be the Board Chairman and shall appoint a vice chairman.<br />
-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The membership term shall be two years and shall be renewable by the CEO's decision.<br />
-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The CEO shall have the right to suspend or cancel the membership of any of the members where he deems this in the interest of the AC.<br />
-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The CEO may discharge any board member from office upon request. The CEO manages meetings, maintains their order, and raises issues to make recommendations about them. The Vice President replaces the Chairman in his absence.</p>


Submit recommendations and proposals about the topics referred from the CEO for consideration.

Express opinions and submit recommendations on everything that would contribute to the development of all areas related to intellectual property in the SAIP.

Consider the SAIP objectives, strategies, policies and future to ensure that it keeps pace with global changes.

Any other tasks required for the Council's works as determined by the Chairman.

<p>The AC functions as an advisory body affiliated to the SAIP. Its functions focus on the following:</p>
