Legal Protection of Trademarks Maintains a Healthy Investment Climate

Legal protection of trademarks has important implications for business actors, particularly in the automotive and technology sectors that are developing rapidly in Indonesia. Legal certainty over trademark protection becomes a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy investment climate.

This certainty also encourages fair business competition amid the entry of various global players into the domestic market. Multinational companies must be more meticulous in their trademark registration strategies in each country’s jurisdiction. Differences in legal systems, including the application of the first-to-file principle in Indonesia, demand administrative and legal preparedness from the early stages of business expansion. This step is important to avoid potential disputes in the future.

The application of the first-to-file principle remains the main foundation in Indonesia’s intellectual property law. This principle means that rights to a trademark are granted to the party that first files the registration and uses the trademark.

Indonesia’s trademark legal protection system adopts this principle. Business actors who register their trademark first obtain exclusive rights to that trademark. Legal protection is given to the owner of the registered trademark, not to the party that first uses the trademark in the market.

Previously, the Central Jakarta District Court through Decision Number 1/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2025/PN Niaga.Jkt.Pst dated 28 April 2025 rejected all trademark claims of a multinational electric vehicle company. The trademark in question had its copyright owned by PT Worcas Nusantara Abadi. This decision was strengthened by the Supreme Court through Decision Number 1338 K/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2025, affirming the rejection of the claim in its entirety.

Both decisions demonstrate the consistency of trademark law enforcement in Indonesia. The judicial system provides protection to the owner of the registered trademark in accordance with the first-to-file principle.

“We respect all legal processes that take place in Indonesia. This decision is proof that the principles of justice, legal certainty, and transparency are well upheld,” said Legal Manager of PT Worcas Nusantara Abadi, Angela, in Jakarta on Saturday, 11 April 2026.