{"id":5767,"date":"2025-11-03T13:19:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T13:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/?p=5767"},"modified":"2025-12-04T06:50:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T06:50:01","slug":"can-a-hashtag-be-registered-as-a-trademark-in-indonesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/2025\/11\/03\/can-a-hashtag-be-registered-as-a-trademark-in-indonesia\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a \u201cHashtag\u201d Be Registered as a Trademark in Indonesia?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the digital era, hashtags (#) that precede certain slogans or statements have become an important tool in marketing strategies. They make it easier for the public to find specific campaigns on social media, strengthen promotional identity, and even build user communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some examples of commonly encountered hashtags include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#FYP<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#photooftheday<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#KeepCookingMama<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#FreakyFriday<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#HowLowCanYouGo<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, when a hashtag grows more popular and becomes closely associated with the identity of a product or service\u2014or there\u2019s even an intention to monopolize it\u2014the question arises: \u201cCan a hashtag be registered as a Trademark?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>In Principle, Yes \u2014 But It\u2019s Not Automatically Acceptable<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By definition of the Indonesian Trademark Law, a Mark means any sign capable of being represented graphically in the form of drawings, logos, names, words, letters, numerals, color arrangements, in 2 (two) and\/or 3 (three) dimensional shape, sounds, holograms, or a combination of 2 (two) or more of those elements to distinguish goods and\/or services produced by a person or legal entity in trading goods and\/or services. Nevertheless, in Trademark examination practice, the hashtag symbol (#) alone is not considered a distinctive element. In other words, when filing #HowLowCanYouGo, the examiner does not assess the \u201c#\u201d but evaluates the word elements \u201cHow Low Can You Go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Accordingly, a hashtag can be registered as a Trademark if the phrase within it meets the distinctiveness test as per Article 20 of the Indonesian Trademark Law, namely:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not generic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has distinctiveness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not descriptive<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not merely a promotional call-to-action<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not misleading<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not to violate public order, regulations, or morality<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the phrase is too generic, the application risks being refused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Hashtag + Removing Spaces Doesn\u2019t Automatically Make It a New, Unique Word<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s an assumption that a slogan will be easier to register if it\u2019s written without spaces and prefixed with a hashtag, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIndonesian Pride\u201d \u2192 #IndonesianPride<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSupport Local Coffee\u201d \u2192 #SupportLocalCoffee<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, this does not automatically turn it into a new, unique word. Examiners will still assess whether the phrase has distinctiveness. If the original meaning remains easily understood\u2014e.g., as a promotional expression\u2014its strength as a Trademark is still considered weak.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In short, adding \u201c#\u201d and removing spaces does not automatically increase the chances of registration!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Comparative Registration Chances<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Form<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Example<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Chance to be\u00a0 Registered<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Reason<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Descriptive Slogan<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">INDONESIAN PRIDE<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Low<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generic phrase\/ Promotion.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Without Spaces<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">INDONESIANPRIDE<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Low-Medium<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Meaning remains clear.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With Hashtag<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#INDONESIANPRIDE<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Low-Medium<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c#\u201d adds no distinctiveness.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arbitrary\/Fanciful Word<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">XYRANGER<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Non-descriptive &amp; unique.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hashtag + Arbitrary<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#XYRANGER<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Strength lies in the core word.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The core assessment remains the same: it\u2019s not about the format, but how distinctive the phrase is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>How to Give a Hashtag a Better Chance of Being Registered in Indonesia?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you want to protect a hashtag as a Trademark, consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using an arbitrary or unique word.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoiding purely promotional phrases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adding a distinctive brand element.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#KROriginal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#24hourbyMaduraShop<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">#XyRangerEveryday<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the core wording has strong distinctiveness, the chances of successful registration are higher\u2014even without the hashtag.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therefore, if you use hashtags in marketing campaigns and want to protect them as a Trademark, ensure the wording is distinctive enough to differentiate your products or services from others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Should you need more information on registering hashtags as Trademarks, contact us through the channels below and get a FREE 15-minute consultation!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">? E-Mail<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: trademark@affa.co.id<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">? Book a Call<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: +62 21 83793812<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">? WhatsApp<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: +62 812 87000 889<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the digital era, hashtags (#) that precede certain slogans or statements have become an important tool in marketing strategies. They make it easier for the public to find specific campaigns on social media, strengthen promotional identity, and even build user communities. &nbsp; Some examples of commonly encountered hashtags include: #FYP #photooftheday #KeepCookingMama #FreakyFriday #HowLowCanYouGo &nbsp; However, when a hashtag grows more popular and becomes closely associated with the identity of a product or service\u2014or there\u2019s even an intention to monopolize it\u2014the question arises: \u201cCan a hashtag be registered as a Trademark?\u201d &nbsp; In Principle, Yes \u2014 But It\u2019s Not Automatically Acceptable &nbsp; By definition of the Indonesian Trademark Law, a Mark means any sign capable of being represented graphically in the form of drawings, logos, names, words, letters, numerals, color arrangements, in 2 (two) and\/or 3 (three) dimensional shape, sounds, holograms, or a combination of 2 (two) or more of those elements to distinguish goods and\/or services produced by a person or legal entity in trading goods and\/or services. Nevertheless, in Trademark examination practice, the hashtag symbol (#) alone is not considered a distinctive element. In other words, when filing #HowLowCanYouGo, the examiner does not assess the \u201c#\u201d but evaluates the word elements \u201cHow Low Can You Go.\u201d &nbsp; Accordingly, a hashtag can be registered as a Trademark if the phrase within it meets the distinctiveness test as per Article 20 of the Indonesian Trademark Law, namely: Not generic Has distinctiveness Not descriptive Not merely a promotional call-to-action Not misleading Not to violate public order, regulations, or morality &nbsp; If the phrase is too generic, the application risks being refused. &nbsp; Hashtag + Removing Spaces Doesn\u2019t Automatically Make It a New, Unique Word &nbsp; There\u2019s an assumption that a slogan will be easier to register if it\u2019s written without spaces and prefixed with a hashtag, for example: \u201cIndonesian Pride\u201d \u2192 #IndonesianPride \u201cSupport Local Coffee\u201d \u2192 #SupportLocalCoffee &nbsp; However, this does not automatically turn it into a new, unique word. Examiners will still assess whether the phrase has distinctiveness. If the original meaning remains easily understood\u2014e.g., as a promotional expression\u2014its strength as a Trademark is still considered weak. &nbsp; In short, adding \u201c#\u201d and removing spaces does not automatically increase the chances of registration! &nbsp; Comparative Registration Chances &nbsp; Form Example Chance to be\u00a0 Registered Reason Descriptive Slogan INDONESIAN PRIDE Low Generic phrase\/ Promotion. Without Spaces INDONESIANPRIDE Low-Medium Meaning remains clear. With Hashtag #INDONESIANPRIDE Low-Medium \u201c#\u201d adds no distinctiveness. Arbitrary\/Fanciful Word XYRANGER High Non-descriptive &amp; unique. Hashtag + Arbitrary #XYRANGER High Strength lies in the core word. &nbsp; The core assessment remains the same: it\u2019s not about the format, but how distinctive the phrase is. &nbsp; How to Give a Hashtag a Better Chance of Being Registered in Indonesia? &nbsp; If you want to protect a hashtag as a Trademark, consider: Using an arbitrary or unique word. Avoiding purely promotional phrases. Adding a distinctive brand element. &nbsp; For example: #KROriginal #24hourbyMaduraShop #XyRangerEveryday &nbsp; If the core wording has strong distinctiveness, the chances of successful registration are higher\u2014even without the hashtag. &nbsp; Therefore, if you use hashtags in marketing campaigns and want to protect them as a Trademark, ensure the wording is distinctive enough to differentiate your products or services from others. &nbsp; Should you need more information on registering hashtags as Trademarks, contact us through the channels below and get a FREE 15-minute consultation! &nbsp; ? E-Mail : trademark@affa.co.id ? Book a Call : +62 21 83793812 ? WhatsApp : +62 812 87000 889<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[81,102],"tags":[35,43,48,51,68,75,76,79,87,104,145,353,354,355,356,357],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5767"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5767"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5769,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5767\/revisions\/5769"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affa.co.id\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}