Trademark Registration Guidelines in Indonesia

How Do You Register a Trademark in Indonesia the Right Way? 

Trademark registration in Indonesia is a straightforward process on paper, but getting it right the first time still calls for local IP expertise to avoid costly delays or refusal. No matter how unique your brand or product is, it all boils down to protecting that unique identity. If you fail to secure that protection, anyone can copy your brand and register it as their own, and under Indonesia’s first-to-file system, they would have the legal rights to that intellectual property even though they never created it. This is why registering your company’s trademark, product, or brand isn’t optional; it’s the foundation that makes every other investment in your brand defensible. 

Once registered, the trademark of your product, brand, or company becomes yours to own, license, and enforce with legal backing from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP). There is a renewal requirement every ten years, but that’s a minor commitment against the long-term value of owning your brand identity outright. If you want to understand exactly how the process works, let’s walk through the trademark registration guidelines in Indonesia. 

 

Why Should You Brand Your Product Before Registering a Trademark? 

First things first, do you have an original product or an improved product with unique benefits? If you do, let’s get that branded. Branded here means that you could develop a logo design and overall brand design for your company or the product. When a product has a brand or a company name and logo, it is more likely to recognise it. The relationship between a product and a brand is rather intimate and personal. A product could be the solution, but the brand connects the user to the product. Hence, the more authentic these two features, the higher the chances people can relate and be loyal. So, before you could even begin registering for a trademark, be sure to have already it designed exclusively for the product, brand, or company.

 

What Law Governs Trademark Registration in Indonesia? 

Now that your company or brand have a distinct identity, let’s get it registered as a trademark. This way, that brand of yours will be yours legally. You have the right to sue anyone else trying to copy or misrepresent the trademark. Trademark registration in Indonesia falls within Law No. 20 of 2016 on Marks and Geographical Indications, administered by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP). As of 23 February 2026, the registration procedure itself is further governed by Minister of Law Regulation No. 5 of 2026, which moved DGIP filing to a fully digital, paper-free system. 

Here comes the exciting part of this trademark registration guideline in Indonesia. Whether you are a local business owner or a foreign company owner, you will need an Intellectual Property Rights Consultant to become your proxy. Foreign applicants will need to process trademark registration through the local IP consultant with a signed Power of Attorney. We have experts in this field should you need to register your trademark in Indonesia.

 

What Is the Trademark Registration Process in Indonesia?

Trademark registration in Indonesia follows a clear, five-stage process administered by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), now governed by Minister of Law Regulation No. 5 of 2026, which moved the entire system to digital-only filing and significantly shortened processing times.

Step 1: Pre-Filing Trademark Search

Before filing, conduct a clearance search on the DGIP’s official PDKI database to confirm your intended trademark does not conflict with existing registered marks, phonetically or visually similar marks, or well-known marks, and is not contrary to religious values or public morality. This step typically takes 2–3 days and is the single most important safeguard against rejection or future opposition.

Step 2: Application Filing

The application is submitted electronically through the DGIP’s official portal; paper filing is no longer accepted. The filing must include the trademark specimen, applicant details, Nice Classification of goods or services, and payment of the official fee. Foreign applicants must file through a locally registered IP consultant holding a signed Power of Attorney.

Step 3: Formality Examination

DGIP examiners verify that all filing sections are complete, fees are paid, and documentation is compliant. Under Regulation 5/2026, this review is significantly faster than before, often completed within days for well-prepared applications.

Step 4: Substantive Examination

Examiners assess the trademark against absolute grounds (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, public order) and relative grounds (similarity to prior marks) by reviewing it thoroughly against the DGIP database. If no objections are raised, the application proceeds to publication.

Step 5: Gazette Publication and Opposition Period

Your trademark is published in the DGIP’s Official Trademark Journal for a two-month period, during which any third party may file an opposition. If no opposition is filed within this window, the DGIP proceeds to register the trademark and issue the certificate.

Here’s how the full timeline breaks down, from search to certificate issuance: 

Stage	Timeframe
Trademark search (PDKI database)	2–3 days
Application submission	1–3 days
Formality + substantive examination	Approx. 3–4 months (target)
Gazette publication & opposition period	2 months
Certificate issuance (if unopposed)	4–8 weeks after opposition period
Total (unopposed, straightforward mark)	~6 months (target under Regulation 5/2026)

How Long Is a Registered Trademark Valid in Indonesia? 

Your registered trademark is good for use for ten years from the date of first filing. It is renewable every ten years for unlimited times. If by any chance you did not use the registered trademark for three consecutive years, a third party may request to cancel your trademark.

What Documents Are Required for Trademark Registration in Indonesia?

Applicants need the following to file with the DGIP:

• Trademark registration application form
• Applicant’s full name and address
• Trademark specimen (JPEG/PNG, minimum 2×2 cm at 300 dpi)
• Tax Identification Number (NPWP)
• Company license number (for corporate applicants)
• List of goods/services classified under the Nice Classification
• Notarized Power of Attorney (mandatory for foreign applicants and agent-filed applications)
• Priority document, if claiming Paris Convention priority
• Translated documents, where applicable

Note: Micro and small enterprises (UMK) may substitute a full company deed with an OSS (Online Single Submission) business number or a UMK recommendation letter, per Regulation 5/2026.

How Much Does Trademark Registration Cost in Indonesia?

Official DGIP filing fees start at approximately IDR 1,800,000 per class for a standard online application. Multi-class filings, agent/consultant fees, opposition handling, and renewal fees are charged separately. Renewal costs approximately IDR 2,000,000 per class. Budget for both government fees and professional IP consultant fees when planning a filing.

Who Can Apply for Trademark Registration in Indonesia?

• Indonesian individuals engaged in commercial, industrial, or service activity
• Indonesian corporations and business entities
• Foreign individuals and corporations (must file through a locally registered IP consultant with Power of Attorney)
• Foreign applicants via the Madrid Protocol, of which Indonesia has been a member since 2018

What Types of Trademarks Can Be Registered in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s Law No. 20 of 2016 recognizes: Word Marks, Figurative Marks, Combination Marks, Hologram Marks, Sound Marks, Color Marks, Three-Dimensional (3D) Marks, Motion Marks, Scent Marks, Certification Marks, Collective Marks, and Service Marks.

How Can 3E Accounting Indonesia Help You Register Your Trademark? 

Registering a trademark in Indonesia is no longer the 12-18 month undertaking it once was. With Regulation 5/2026 now in force, DGIP has moved to a fully digital, faster-moving system. However, the process still demands precise documentation, correct class selection, and a locally registered IP consultant for foreign applicants. Getting any of these wrong can mean months of delay or an outright refusal.

3E Accounting Indonesia has the local IP expertise to handle your trademark search, filing, and DGIP correspondence from start to certificate issuance. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a foreign company entering Indonesia’s market, our team ensures your brand is protected under the correct legal framework from day one.