New Rules on the Use of Indonesian Language for Trademarks owned by Indonesian citizens and/or Indonesian entities
On 30 September 2019, the President of the Republic of Indonesia issued Presidential Regulation No. 63 of 2019 on the Use of Indonesian Language (“PR 63”), as the implementing regulation of Law No. 24 of 2009 on National Flag, Language, Emblem and National Anthem.
PR 63 sets out several situations where Indonesian language is required. One of those situations is the use of Indonesian language for trademarks that are owned by Indonesian citizens and/or Indonesian entities, except for foreign licensing trademarks and for trademarks with historical, cultural, customary and/or religious values in traditional or foreign languages. Nevertheless, the enforcement of this specific provision is still in question due to lack of penalties for failure to comply with its provision. Up to the present, the Directorate General of Intellectual Property still accepts all trademarks in foreign language filed by the Indonesian citizens and/or Indonesian entities.