UNAIR NEWS “ The Institute for Innovation, Journal Development, Publishing, and Intellectual Property Rights () recently hosted the 2024 Intellectual Property Right Festival on Thursday, Feb 29, 2024. Held at the Airlangga Sharia & Entrepreneurship Education Center () Tower, the first IPR festival by LIPJPHKI garnered significant enthusiasm from the attendees.Ìý
One of the highlights of the festival was a seminar on intellectual property, particularly trademarks. LIPJPHKI invited Adel Chandra Skom MM, the Coordinator of Applications and Publications “ Trademarks and Graphic Indications from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property Rights (DJKI).Ìý
Protecting Trademark Rights for Business Actors, Adel emphasized the importance of trademarks in a product. With a trademark, manufacturers not only establish the identity of their product but also add value, ensure quality, build reputation, and create intangible assets.Ìý
“By adding a trademark, the price can be higher, quality can be more assured, and the reputation of the new product will also skyrocket if the reputation of the trademark owner is good. It is also valuable if the trademark is sold,” explained Adel.
Once a trademark is obtained, Adel underscored the importance of protecting it by securing ownership of Intellectual Property (IP) in the form of a trademark. By claiming a trademark, manufacturers become the legal owners of that trademark.
Trademark protection principlesÌý
Adel explained that there are three principles of trademark protection: first to file, meaning the first person to file for a trademark will receive protection from the state. This is why, according to Adel, large companies register their trademarks before releasing products
Then, specialty and territoriality. It means the trademark must be clear for what type of goods it is. Additionally, the trademark is only valid in the country where it is registered.Ìý
“When you apply for a trademark, you must declare what goods it is for. Therefore, you must be able to map out what products it will be for in the future.”
“If you register the trademark in Indonesia, it only applies in Indonesia. If you export to Japan and find out there is already a trademark there, then your product will become counterfeit. So, check first if it’s already registered or not,” he continued.
Trademark applicationÌý
Adel admitted that claiming a trademark is not a quick process. Normally, the process can take eight to nine months. It can be longer if there are mistakes in the process.
Regarding the cost, he openly disclosed that there are two categories, general and MSMEs. For general applicants, the fee is Rp.1,800,000. Meanwhile, for MSMEs, the fee is Rp.500,000.
“But if it’s Rp.500,000, you need to prepare a declaration letter and recommendation letter from the Ministry of MSMEs, Trade, and so on,” he said.
Although not instantaneous, Adel mentioned that manufacturers still need trademark ownership to protect their brands. Especially if the brand is already recognized in society, making it impossible for anyone to steal it. (*)
Author: Muhammad Badrul Anwar
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
