Indonesia reviewing provisions of its Trademark laws

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Government is currently revising its Trademark Laws to provide greater transparency in dealing with trademark prosecution matters and to ensure that Indonesia is compliant with ASEAN Economic Community policies regarding trademarks by 2015. The draft includes some major changes to current practice.

Lawyers Baker & McKenzie say notable provisions in the current draft include an ability to register non-traditional trademarks, such as sound, scent, holograph and 3D; the introduction of online filings for trademark applications; implementation of the Madrid Protocol (although B&M says this might not be implemented by 2015); a reduction in the examination period from nine to six months; introduction of a six-month grace period for filing renewals, although penalties may apply; and higher financial penalties for trademark infringement.

B&M says the draft has been distributed and is to be further reviewed so should not be regarded as the final version. www.bakermckenzie,com (ATI).