Law No. 20 of 2016 on Marks and Geographical Indications

Summary

Law 20/2016 governs the registration and protection of trademarks, service marks and geographical indications. It replaced Law 15/2001 and aligned Indonesia's trademark system with international registration, so that national marks can also be protected abroad. Its rules apply across goods and services classes and to the renewal of registered marks.

The questions businesses ask most are answered here: who is entitled to a mark (the first to file), grounds for refusal, the protection period and its renewal, removal of unused marks, and civil claims and criminal sanctions for counterfeiting. For a foreign brand entering Indonesia, the first-to-file rule makes early registration with DJKI (the Directorate General of Intellectual Property) a practical priority. Several provisions were amended through the Job Creation framework.

Key points for investors

• A mark is protected only once registered with DJKI; using it unregistered is risky.
• Relevant to goods and services classes and trademark renewal.
• Substantive examination decides whether a mark is accepted or refused.

Status & related regulations

Amended by

• UU No. 6 Tahun 2023
• PERPU No. 2 Tahun 2022
• UU No. 11 Tahun 2020

Revokes

• UU No. 15 Tahun 2001

Related at IzinBeres

• Trademark registration
• Read in Bahasa Indonesia
• All regulations in the library

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