Who Regulates Intellectual Property Rights in Indonesia?

If you need a direct answer to who regulates intellectual property rights in Indonesia, it’s the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

All trademark, patent, copyright, and industrial design filings are handled there. Any formal IP protection process in Indonesia starts with DGIP.

That’s the authority you deal with.

What Does DGIP Cover?

DGIP administers:

• Trademarks and geographical indications

• Patents (including simple patents)

• Copyright recordation

• Industrial designs

• Trade secrets

• Plant variety protection

Applications, examinations, oppositions, and administrative cancellations are all processed through this office.

Indonesia applies a first-to-file principle. In practice, this means whoever files first usually secures the right — even if another party has used it earlier. For businesses entering the market, timing is not a technical detail. It’s strategic.

What Happens If There’s Infringement?

DGIP regulates and registers IP rights.

But enforcement may involve:

• Commercial Courts for civil disputes

• Police for criminal counterfeiting cases

• Customs for border measures

Without a valid registration through DGIP, your enforcement options are limited.

What Laws Form the Basis?

Indonesia’s IP framework is governed by separate statutes, including:

• Law No. 20 of 2016 (Trademarks & Geographical Indications)

• Law No. 13 of 2016 (Patents)

• Law No. 28 of 2014 (Copyright)

• Law No. 31 of 2000 (Industrial Designs)

• Law No. 30 of 2000 (Trade Secrets)

• Law No. 29 of 2000 (Plant Variety Protection)

Indonesia is also aligned with international agreements such as TRIPS, the Paris Convention, and the Madrid Protocol.

Why This Matters in Practice

Most IP issues in Indonesia don’t happen because the regulator is unclear. They happen because:

• Filing is delayed

• Classification is incorrect

• Foreign companies assume overseas registrations automatically apply

• Objections from examiners are not handled strategically

Understanding who regulates intellectual property rights in Indonesia is the starting point. Executing the process correctly is what protects your position.

AMR Partnership has been advising clients since 1986 on IP registration, enforcement, and dispute resolution in Indonesia. If you’re planning to secure your rights here, structured guidance from the outset significantly reduces risk and delay.