What International Brands Should Know About Trademarks in Indonesia

For international brands entering or expanding into Indonesia, securing trademark rights should be part of the market-entry strategy. A trademark registered overseas does not automatically provide protection in Indonesia because trademark rights are territorial. Indonesia also follows a first-to-file system, making early filing important for businesses seeking to establish and protect their brands in the country.

Before launching a product or service, businesses should therefore understand how trademark protection works in Indonesia, what needs to be checked before filing, and how to maintain their rights after registration.

What Does a Trademark Protect in Indonesia?

A registered trademark gives its owner exclusive rights over the mark for the goods or services covered by the registration. Depending on the mark, trademark protection may cover elements such as words, names, logos, letters, numbers, colors, or combinations of these elements where they meet the applicable requirements.

The scope of protection is closely connected to the goods and services included in the application. Indonesia uses the Nice Classification system, so selecting the appropriate classes is an important part of developing a trademark strategy.

For international brands, this means that owning a trademark in another country is not enough. Protection in Indonesia needs to be considered separately based on the mark and the goods or services the business intends to offer in the Indonesian market.

Why Does First-to-File Matter for International Brands?

Indonesia follows a first-to-file principle for trademark registration. In practice, this means that the timing of a trademark application can be particularly important for an international brand entering Indonesia.

A brand may already have substantial recognition or a valid trademark registration in another jurisdiction, but that registration does not automatically secure the same rights in Indonesia. If another party files an identical or similar mark first in Indonesia in good faith, the brand owner may face difficulties when attempting to secure protection locally.

This is why international businesses should consider conducting a trademark search and filing their mark before commercializing it in Indonesia.

Early clearance can identify potentially conflicting marks and allow businesses to reconsider their filing strategy before investing in market expansion.

How Do You Register a Trademark in Indonesia?

Trademark applications are filed with the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP). The process generally involves:

Conduct a trademark search to identify identical or potentially conflicting marks.
Assess registrability and identify possible grounds for refusal.
Select the appropriate Nice Classification and goods or services.
Prepare the application and supporting documents based on the applicant and filing circumstances.
File the application with DGIP and pay the applicable official fee.
Undergo formal and substantive examination by the relevant authorities.
Publication and opposition, allowing third parties to raise objections through the applicable procedure.
Registration if the application satisfies the requirements and no issue prevents registration.

Indonesia’s trademark framework was updated through Minister of Law Regulation No. 5 of 2026, which took effect on February 23, 2026. One significant change is the acceleration of substantive examination to 30 days, or up to 90 calendar days where a proposed refusal is issued.

For international brands, understanding these requirements before filing can help reduce avoidable administrative issues and identify potential conflicts earlier.

How Much Does Trademark Registration Cost in Indonesia?

Trademark filing fees in Indonesia are calculated per class. The current official fee for general applicants is IDR 1,800,000 per class, while eligible micro and small businesses are subject to a fee of IDR 500,000 per class.

However, the official filing fee is only one part of the potential cost. Businesses may also require professional assistance for:

Trademark searches
Application and prosecution
Responses to objections or refusals
Opposition proceedings
Renewal and recordals

International brands should therefore consider both the number of classes and the level of professional assistance required when planning their trademark budget.

How Can You Protect a Trademark After Registration?

Trademark protection does not end when a certificate is issued. Businesses should continue managing their trademark rights throughout the registration’s lifecycle.

This may include:

Trademark monitoring to identify potentially conflicting applications.
Trademark opposition to challenge problematic applications within the applicable period.
Renewal to maintain the trademark registration.
Licensing and recordals to manage commercial use or changes in ownership.
Enforcement when unauthorized use or infringement occurs.

For an international brand, having a local IP partner can make it easier to manage these activities while responding to developments in the Indonesian market.

AMR Partnership provides trademark services covering search, registration and prosecution, monitoring, opposition, renewal, licensing and recordals, as well as infringement analysis and litigation.

Protect Your Brand in Indonesia with AMR Partnership

AMR Partnership is an intellectual property law firm established in 1986 with experience handling more than 135,000 trademarks. The firm serves both local and global clients and provides customized solutions based on individual client needs.

AMR has a dedicated Trademark, Copyright, Industrial Design and PVP division and is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).

Whether you are preparing to enter Indonesia or managing an existing international trademark portfolio, AMR Partnership can assist with securing and managing trademark rights in Indonesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you trademark a brand in Indonesia?
Start with a trademark search, assess registrability, select the appropriate classes, prepare the required documents, and file the application with DGIP for examination and publication.

2. Is Indonesia a first-to-file trademark country?
Yes. Indonesia follows a first-to-file system, making early trademark filing particularly important for international brands entering the Indonesian market.

3. How much does it cost to register a trademark in Indonesia?
The official filing fee for general applicants is IDR 1,800,000 per class. Professional fees for additional services such as trademark searches or prosecution are separate.