Maintaining Trademark Protection Beyond Registration

Registering a trademark is only the first step in protecting a brand. To ensure that exclusive rights remain in force, trademark owners must also comply with renewal requirements prescribed under Indonesian trademark law. Failure to renew a registration within the prescribed period may result in the expiration of trademark rights, potentially exposing valuable brands to unnecessary legal and commercial risks.

A recent trademark renewal for Goodbaby Company Limited before Indonesia’s Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) demonstrates the importance of proactive trademark portfolio management and long-term brand protection.

Background

Goodbaby Company Limited successfully renewed four Indonesian trademark registrations covering multiple classes of goods, securing uninterrupted protection for another ten-year period.

The renewed registrations cover the following classes:

Each registration has been renewed for a further ten-year term, extending protection from 28 December 2026 to 28 December 2036. By completing the renewal process before the expiry of the existing registrations, the company ensured continuous legal protection without interruption.

Why Trademark Renewal Matters

Trademark registration in Indonesia is valid for ten years and may be renewed indefinitely for successive ten-year periods. Timely renewal enables trademark owners to:

• Maintain exclusive rights over their registered trademarks.
• Prevent competitors from registering identical or confusingly similar marks.
• Preserve the commercial value and goodwill associated with their brands.
• Support licensing, franchising, and enforcement strategies.
• Avoid the costs and uncertainty of filing new trademark applications after existing rights expire.

Missing a renewal deadline may result in the loss of statutory protection, leaving valuable brands vulnerable to third-party registrations.

Renewal Is Only One Part of Trademark Protection

While renewal preserves the legal validity of a trademark registration, maintaining trademark rights also requires genuine commercial use of the mark.

Under Indonesian trademark law, a registered trademark that has not been used for five consecutive years may be vulnerable to cancellation through legal proceedings initiated by an interested third party. Consequently, trademark owners should maintain adequate evidence of use, including product packaging, invoices, advertisements, import documentation, sales records, and promotional materials.

Combining timely renewals with proper evidence of use helps strengthen the enforceability of trademark rights and reduces the risk of future disputes.

Key Takeaways for Businesses

• Trademark renewal should be treated as a critical component of intellectual property management.
• Indonesian trademark registrations may be renewed every ten years, allowing protection to continue indefinitely when renewal requirements are met.
• Businesses should maintain a comprehensive docketing system to monitor renewal deadlines across all jurisdictions.
• Continued commercial use of registered trademarks remains essential, as prolonged non-use may expose registrations to cancellation.
• Effective trademark portfolio management combines timely renewals, active brand use, and regular portfolio reviews to safeguard long-term business value.

Conclusion

For businesses operating in competitive markets, trademark renewal is more than an administrative formality—it is a strategic measure that preserves valuable intellectual property rights. Through the successful renewal of its Indonesian trademark portfolio, Goodbaby Company Limited has secured another decade of exclusive protection for its brand across multiple product categories. Regular monitoring of renewal deadlines, coupled with consistent commercial use of registered trademarks, remains essential for maintaining strong and enforceable trademark rights in Indonesia.

Legal References

• Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP)
• Law No. 20 of 2016 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications
• Relevant provisions governing trademark renewal, validity period, and cancellation for non-use under Indonesian trademark law.