Sharing poems without author’s consent now attracts SR5,000 fine in Saudi Arabia

Dubai: Sharing a favourite poem on social media without the author’s permission could cost you in Saudi Arabia, the country’s intellectual property authority has warned.

In a statement posted on X, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property said that publishing or performing literary works, including poetry, without the creator’s consent is a violation of copyright law and can lead to fines and other penalties.

The authority cited a recent case in which an individual recited a poem on a personal social media channel and used it for commercial purposes without authorisation. 

The violator was fined 5,000 Saudi riyals (SR) and ordered to remove the content.

“Using any literary or artistic work without prior approval from its owner constitutes a breach of the Copyright Protection Law,” the authority said, adding that offenders could face legal proceedings and sanctions.