Papua New Guinea (PNG) holds a unique position for Indonesia: geographically, the two countries are extremely close, sharing a direct land border on the island of New Guinea, yet PNG’s market opportunities remain relatively underexplored by Indonesian businesses. In fact, trade relations between the two countries indicate increasingly promising potential.
In 2025, Indonesia’s exports to Papua New Guinea reached approximately USD 249.47 million, covering a diverse range of products, including vegetable oils and fats, soaps and cleaning products, processed foods, vehicles, sugar and confectionery products, aluminum, cereal- and dairy-based products, iron and steel, fertilizers, plastics, as well as electrical and electronic equipment.
These figures demonstrate that Papua New Guinea is not merely a neighboring country, but also a promising export market for a wide range of industries. Its geographical proximity presents particular opportunities for Indonesian or global manufacturers, distributors, and service providers seeking to expand their businesses into the Pacific region.
However, entering a new market also means bringing your business identity into a different jurisdiction. Trademark protection obtained in your country does not automatically extend to Papua New Guinea. The more serious you plan to expand and market your products there, the more important it becomes to ensure that your Trademark is properly protected in the country.
The following sections provide an overview of the Trademark registration process in Papua New Guinea, including the requirements, procedures, and estimated timeline.
Legal Basis for Trademark Protection in PNG
In PNG, the legal protection of Trademarks is regulated in the “Trade Marks Act, 1980 (Ch.385)” where the administration of registration and legislation is managed by the Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea (IPOPNG), which is under the auspices of the Papua New Guinea Investment and Promotion Authority (IPA). However, IPOPNG has been part of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 1996, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Paris Convention since 1999, so you don’t need to worry about the legal standards used.
Registering your Trademark in PNG will protect it, especially if it conflicts with an identical or similar Trademark. The registered status also gives you exclusive rights to the goods and/or services you own, so your Trademark is protected from other parties who use it without permission and from prosecution if violations occur.
Types of Trademark That Can be Registered
The definition of a Trademark in PNG is a sign used or proposed to be used in relation to goods or services to differentiate these goods or services of one entity/ business from those of other entities in the course of trade.
Generally, a sign can be anything from a visible distinctive word or words, letter (s), numeral (number), drawing, picture, shape, color, logotype, label, or a combination of one or all of these things. While Trademarks that cannot be registered are marks contrary to moral standards or public order, generic terms, non-distinctive marks, surnames, geographic location names, marks that are contrary to law, and marks that may deceive the public or cause confusion.
Trademark Registration Application Process in PNG
The average timeframe for the registration approval is 10 months if no objections or oppositions arise. However, because PNG has not yet joined the Madrid Agreement, you cannot make PNG the destination country for international Trademark registration via the Madrid Protocol. So, if you want to apply there, you must appoint an experienced Trademark Consultant who can be trusted to submit the application to IPOPNG.
However, just like Trademark registration in any country, the first step that is highly recommended is carrying out the search process. This process is essential to check whether the Trademark you want to register is already registered or is being applied for by another party. For this reason, you can visit the WIPO site sorted into the IPOPNG database or the IPOPNG search page for this search process.
After going through the search process and getting an idea of how successful your Trademark registration is, you can continue by paying the application fee to IPOPNG through the Trademark Consultant you have appointed. The following process for Trademark registration in PNG can be seen in the following flowchart:
Validity Period for Trademark Protection in PNG
Once your Trademark is registered in PNG, the protection period is ten years from the date of application, and it can be extended for a further ten years by paying a renewal fee. If you want to extend your Trademark, you can apply 1 (one) year before the protection period ends. However, if, for one reason or another, you are late in renewing, you still have a maximum of 1 (one) year after the protection period ends to pay the renewal fee, plus a late payment.
You need to pay attention to the fact that every Trademark registered in PNG must be used. If it is not used for 3 (three) consecutive years, other parties can apply to cancel your Mark. However, if you really don’t want to continue using it, you can request cancellation or transfer ownership to another party.
Should you require further information regarding Trademark searches, registration, and protection in Papua New Guinea, please feel free to contact us through the channels below to receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation:
📩 E-Mail : [email protected]
📳 Book a Call : +62 21 83793812
💬 WhatsApp : +62 812 87000 889
About AFFA:
Established in 1999, AFFA Intellectual Property Rights is an Indonesia-based boutique IP law firm serving international brands and innovators, offering full-service support—from prosecution and licensing to enforcement and commercialization—in Indonesia’s dynamic IP landscape. Our firm is widely recognized for its excellence, with accolades including “Best Boutique Law Firm in Indonesia” and “IP Enforcement Firm” at the Indonesia Law Firm Awards 2025 by Asia Business Law Journal, as well as being listed as a “Recommended Firm 2024 — Indonesia” by WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.
Source:
– Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea
