Mustika Ratu wins battle over `Taman Sari' name

JAKARTA (JP): Local cosmetic giant PT Mustika Ratu has won the battle against its main rival, Martha Tilaar, the owner of PT Martina Berto, over the right to use the name "Taman Sari".

The Directorate General for Intellectual and Property Rights has ruled that the brand name belonged to Mustika Ratu which had registered with the authorities before Martha Tilaar did.

A lawyer representing Martha Tilaar professed ignorance of the decision, but said her client was prepared to accept whatever ruling the government made.

"If the directorate-general has given the Taman Sari brand certificates to Mustika Ratu, it means Mustika Ratu deserves them," Ria Hetharia of Hotma Sitompul & Associates law firm told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Martha Tilaar would not contest the decision, Ria said.

The idea to use Taman Sari came because it would have complemented Martha Tilaar's popular brand name Sari Ayu, she added.

Mustika Ratu's legal manager, Nenden H. Juana, said she was relieved that the certificates were issued to her company.

Indonesia's cosmetic market is dominated by the two local companies, both established and managed by their women founders. Mustika Ratu is owned by Mooryati Soedibyo. (01)