How to Register a Trademark in Indonesia: A Practical Legal Guide

If you’re searching for how to register a trademark in Indonesia, you’re probably looking for one clear thing:
how to register your brand properly and protect it legally, so it doesn’t turn into a problem later on.

In Indonesia, the rule is straightforward.
A trademark is only protected after it’s officially registered.
Using it first, promoting it first, or even being well known doesn’t count legally if the trademark hasn’t been registered.

The Legal Framework You Need to Know

Trademark registration in Indonesia is governed by Law No. 20 of 2016 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications.

Indonesia follows a first-to-file system. In simple terms:

whoever files the trademark application first is legally recognized as the owner.

Not the one who used the brand first.
Legal research on Indonesia’s trademark registration system confirms this approach: trademark rights do not arise from use, but from valid registration. Without a certificate, there is no legal protection.

How to Register a Trademark in Indonesia (Straight to the Process)

In practice, how to register a trademark in Indonesia comes down to five main steps:

1. Filing the Application

The application is submitted online to the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP). It includes:

• applicant details

• the trademark being registered

• the relevant goods or services class

• proof of payment

2. Administrative Examination

DGIP reviews the completeness of the documents.
If something is missing or incorrect, the applicant is given time to fix it. If it’s not corrected, the application may be deemed withdrawn.

3. Substantive Examination

At this stage, the trademark is reviewed to see whether it:

• has sufficient distinctiveness

• is similar to an existing registered trademark

• violates Article 20 of the Trademark Law

Many applications fail here, most often due to similarity with earlier trademarks.

4. Publication (Opposition Period)

The authority publishes the trademark to give third parties a chance to raise objections.
In practice, many trademark disputes arise because applicants treat this stage lightly or fail to monitor it properly.

5. Trademark Certificate

If no one files an objection, or if the parties resolve any objections, the authority issues the trademark certificate.
The trademark remains valid for 10 years, and the owner can renew it.

Why Many Trademark Applications Fail

Trademark problems in Indonesia usually don’t happen because the rules are unclear, but because of mistakes during the process.

Common issues include:

• skipping a proper trademark search

• choosing the wrong goods or services class

• assuming publication is just a formality

• not preparing for objections from third parties

Small mistakes early on often lead to rejection or legal disputes later.

What You Should Pay Attention to When Registering a Trademark

Because trademark registration in Indonesia is strict and procedural, many businesses choose professional assistance to ensure:

• to help ensure the authorities don’t reject their application

• the trademark isn’t vulnerable to disputes

• the legal protection is genuinely solid

At AMR Partnership, we handle trademark registration as a legal process—not just paperwork. It covers risk assessment, filing strategy, and handling objections when they arise.

Register First, Then You’re Legally Protected

If your question is how to register a trademark in Indonesia, the answer is actually simple:

Without registration, your trademark is not legally protected.

Indonesia only recognizes registered trademarks.
Register early, follow the correct procedure, and don’t treat trademark registration as a formality—because that’s usually where problems start.