Trademark Squatting in Indonesia: Real or Hype? - AFFA IPR

Trademark Squatting in Indonesia: Real or Hype?

Intellectual Property, Trademark

Spoiler: It’s real — and surprisingly common.   Trademark squatting is not just a scary headline. It frequently occurs in Indonesia, particularly in fast-moving consumer sectors such as beauty, fashion, and F&B. Both local and foreign parties rush to register brands that do not actually belong to them, hoping to profit when the rightful owner enters the market.   But here is the good news:  Most squatters lose — if challenged strategically and in time.   However, this requires you to complete your “homework” before we can fight the squatter before the Court of Commerce in Indonesia, such as:   At least 5 Trademark registrations filed overseas before the squatter(s) filed the same Mark in Indonesia. The more registrations there is, the better. Evidence of use overseas by your company. If possible, any leads or evidence that suggest the squatter(s) had past interactions with your company (i.e., asking for license or distribution rights).   Indonesia’s Trademark Law allows oppositions at the Trademark Office stage and cancellations based on bad faith at the Court of Commerce stage. However, cautions and preparations are needed before you can pursue your rights in this case.   Avoid the squat trap, email or book a free 15-minute call with us — let’s make sure your Trademark stays yours!   📩 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. For more information, please visit: www.affa.co.id.

How-to-Upcycle-Without-Violating-Trademark-Law

How to Upcycle Without Violating Trademark Law

Intellectual Property

Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials into new products of higher quality or value. This trend has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it is now estimated that resale could account for 20% of a luxury company’s revenue by 2030.   According to Vogue magazine, upcycling was the biggest fashion trend of spring/summer 2021. As of June 2023, the hashtag #upcycle has over 6.2 million posts on Instagram alone.   For brand and trademark owners, upcycling can raise legal concerns. For example, if a company uses a trademarked brand name on an upcycled product without the permission of the trademark owner, this could be considered Trademark Infringement.     However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, in the United States, trademark owners cannot prevent the use of their trademarks on upcycled products if the use is “noncommercial and non-confusing.” This means that the use of the trademark cannot be used to sell the product or to imply that the product is endorsed by the trademark owner.   In addition, trademark owners may be able to prevent the use of their trademarks on upcycled products if the use is likely to dilute the trademark. Dilution occurs when the use of a trademark weakens the distinctiveness or reputation of the trademark.   Overall, the legal implications of upcycling for brand and trademark owners are complex. However, by understanding the law, trademark owners can protect their brands and trademarks while still supporting the upcycling movement.   Should you have any questions about Trademark Infringement in Indonesia, please contact us at [email protected]. Source ipwatchdog.com