King Fahd Library: Details of the deposit system regulations and the 40-day grace period
In a regulatory step aimed at protecting Saudi intellectual output and strengthening the legal framework for knowledge documentation, the King Fahd National Library the draft executive regulations for the deposit system through the "Istilaa" platform. This step comes in response to the rapid developments in the publishing and digital content industry, and in an effort to ensure the preservation of national heritage in all its forms.
Historical context and pivotal role in preserving heritage
The King Fahd National Library has been the primary repository of intellectual output in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since its establishment, undertaking the task of collecting, organizing, and documenting the national heritage. The introduction of these new regulations is an extension of the library's historical role in regulating publishing and aligns with the Kingdom's digital transformation under Vision 2030, necessitating the modernization of systems to encompass modern knowledge resources and streamline deposit procedures for researchers and authors.
Details of the deposit deadline and responsibilities
The new regulations established strict timeframes to ensure the proper submission process. Non-periodical works must be submitted within 40 days of the registration card issuance date, with the possibility of a one-time extension of ten days if necessary. Newspapers and magazines must be submitted on the same day of publication, while university theses must be submitted immediately upon approval by the academic authorities.
The responsibility for depositing is hierarchical, starting with the author if he is the publisher, followed by the printer, then the producer, then the publisher, and finally the universities and cultural attachés with regard to scientific papers.
Scope and comprehensiveness of the submitted works
The list is characterized by its broad comprehensiveness, as it is not limited to books and printed materials only, but extends to include:
- Literary and scientific works: books, dictionaries, atlases, and educational materials.
- Digital and audiovisual content: audiobooks, software, mini-movies, and interactive content.
- Artworks: Photographs, maps, postage stamps, and paintings.
The regulations also confirmed that their provisions apply to any work published within the Kingdom, or works published by Saudis abroad, thus reinforcing the library’s sovereignty over national intellectual output wherever it may be found.
Exceptions: What is not subject to deposit?
To prevent the accumulation of materials that do not have lasting scientific or cultural value, the regulations exempted a group of materials from the deposit requirement. These exemptions included:
- Commercial and non-commercial advertisements and price lists.
- Invitation cards, greeting cards, and personal cards.
- Financial-related publications such as stocks and bank forms.
- Government publications of a confidential nature.
The importance of the regulations and their expected impact
The adoption of this regulation is expected to address previous regulatory gaps and standardize deposit procedures, thereby improving the accuracy of the national register of intellectual property. These measures will also support authors' rights by officially documenting their intellectual property and the publication dates of their works, as well as facilitating researchers' access to documented sources and references through library databases.
