The significant changes under the new Trademark law are the substantial increase in the penalties for infringement. Penalties include imprisonment and fines as well as compensation for damages resulting from the misuse of the trademark. At the same time, the procedures for seizing infringing goods have also been enhanced. With regards to Copyrights, financial penalties were increased to include fines of up to 500,000 Saudi Riyals (approx. US$133,000) as well the right to publish the infringes’ details in the newspaper.

Saudi Arabia joined the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC) in 1994, and therefore, foreign-owned copyrights of other signatory nations receive the same protection that the Saudi-owned works enjoy. In 1996, Saudi Arabia was moved from a "priority watch list" country to a "watch list" country under the Special 301 provision in recognition of its work to improve intellectual property protection. Saudi Arabia adopted its current patent law in 1989. Patents offer inventors exclusive use and development of their creations for a period of 15 years from the date of the grant.