The Application of the First-to-File Principle in Trademark Protection: A Juridical Analysis

Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi; Yuliasara Isnaeni

doi:10.58829/lp.13.2.2026.367

Authors

Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi Universitas Jayabaya, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
Yuliasara Isnaeni Universitas Jayabaya, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58829/lp.13.2.2026.367

Keywords:

First-to-File Principle, Good Faith, Trademark Dispute, Trademark Protection, Trademark Registration

Abstract

Legal protection of protection in Indonesia follows a constitutive registration system based on the first-to-file principle, but its application may conflict with actual use, good faith, and ownership of similar marks. This study aims to examine the application of the first-to-file principle in Indonesia’s trademark protection system through an analysis of Decision Number 79/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2024/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst. and to evaluate the judicial considerations applied by the panel of judges based on Law Number 20 of 2016 concerning Trademarks and Geographical Indications. This study employs a normative juridical method using statutory and case approaches. Legal materials were obtained through literature studies involving primary, secondary, and tertiary sources and analyzed qualitatively using descriptive-analytical methods. The findings reveal that although the first-to-file principle remains the primary basis for trademark ownership, its application is not limited to formal registration requirements. In the examined case, the Court considered continuous commercial use, evidence of trademark exploitation, and the absence of bad faith in determining the validity of trademark protection. The deletion claim was rejected because the Plaintiff failed to prove five years of non-use under Article 74. This study concludes that, first-to-file must consider actual use and good faith to balance legal certainty and fair trademark protection.

References

Agustin, Syifa Sofia, Jasmine Azzahra, and Windi Putri Oktapiani. “A Legal Review of the “First to File” Principle in Indonesia’s Trademark Registration System.” Anthroposia: Journal of Social and Human Development 1, no. 2 (2026): 137-146. https://doi.org/10.65310/ybzt3h16

Al-Tawalbeh, Muayad Hassan. “Using artificial intelligence in trademark registration in light of the UAE trademark Law.” Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology 8, no. 5 (2024): 533-548.

Ardian, Selni, Muryanto Lanontji, and Rima Anggriyani. “First to File Principle Dan Sengketa Hak Merek Dalam Kajian Perundang-Undangan di Indonesia.” Staatsrecht: Jurnal Hukum Kenegaraan Dan Politik Islam 5, no. 1 (2025): 429-450. https://doi.org/10.14421/jnj4gr96

Arifah, Risma Nur, Azlin Alisa Ahmad, and Silvana Oktavia Rochmawati. “Trademark cancellation of the PT. Diposin in the principle of legal certainty by Sudikno Mertokusumo.” El-Mashlahah 13, no. 1 (2023): 17-38.

Asmara, Andre, Sri Walny Rahayu, and Sanusi Bintang. “Studi Kasus Penerapan Prinsip Pendaftaran First to File Pada Pembatalan Merek Cap Mawar.” Syiah Kuala Law Journal 3, no. 2 (2019): 184-201.

Atmoko, Dwi. “Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Pemegang Hak Merek Menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 20 Tahun 2016 Tentang Merek Dan Indikasi Geografis.” Jurnal Hukum Sasana 5, no. 1 (2019): 75-86. https://doi.org/10.31599/sasana.v5i1.93

Block, Jörn H., Christian O. Fisch, Alexander Hahn, and Philipp G. Sandner. “Why do SMEs file trademarks? Insights from firms in innovative industries.” Research Policy 44, no. 10 (2015): 1915-1930.

Busroh, Firman Freaddy, Fatria Khairo, and Sitta Saraya. “Reevaluating “First-to-File” vs the Legality Principle: Rethinking Justice for Original Rights Holders in Indonesia.” Jambe Law Journal 8, no. 1 (2025): 421-442. https://doi.org/10.22437/home.v8i1.596

Calboli, Irene, and Edward Lee, eds. Trademark protection and territoriality challenges in a global economy. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014.

Croze, Denis. “Making a large universe visually perceptible: the development of non-traditional trademarks in WIPO treaties.” The Protection of non-traditional trademarks, cit (2018): 13-35.

Dharmawan, Ni Ketut Supasti, Made Suksma Prijandhini Devi Salain, Putu Aras Samsithawrati, and Annalisa Yahanan. “Beyond Territoriality: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Madrid System for Trademark Protection in Indonesia.” Sriwijaya Law Review (2026): 1-20. https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.v10i1.5208

Franco, Gabriella F. “Sidestepping Sovereign Trademark Territorialism: The Harmonization and Customization of the Lanham Act.” S. Cal. L. Rev. 98 (2024): 165.

Gunawan, Yusuf. “Legal analysis of ambiguity of trademark registration in Indonesia.” Nurani: jurnal kajian syari’ah dan masyarakat 23, no. 1 (2023): 163-170. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v23i1.17305

Hans, Callista, and Christine ST Kansil. “Analisis bentuk perlindungan hukum terhadap penggunaan merek pada kelas barang dan jasa yang sama.” UNES Law Review 6, no. 2 (2023): 4163-4171. https://doi.org/10.31933/unesrev.v6i2.1252

Harjono, Dhaniswara K., Hulman Panjaitan, Moermahadi Soerjadjanegara, Suwarno Suwarno, and Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal. “Ensuring Fair Business Practices and Consumer Rights: The Role and Impact of Indonesia’s Consumer Dispute Settlement Agency.” Jurnal Hukum Unissula 40, no. 1 (2024): 259-271. https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v40i1.37177

Hetharie, Yosia, Isis Ikhwansyah, and Ema Rahmawati. “Legal Empowerment of Indonesian Micro Small Medium Enterprises in the Digital Era: A Comparing with China.” Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan 13, no. 2 (2025): 326-345. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v13i2.1688

Hidayat, Wahyu Hidayat, and Nur Kholik. “Implikasi hukum atas perubahan bisnis UMKM: Strategi adaptasi era digital dan e-commerce di Indonesia.” Jurnal Analisis Hukum 7, no. 1 (2024): 70-84. https://doi.org/10.38043/jah.v7i1.5052

Khotimah, Vika Husnul, and Rani Apriani. “Faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya pelanggaran hak merek berupa pemboncengan reputasi (passing off) merek terkenal ditinjau dari Undang-Undang Nomor 20 Tahun 2016 tentang Merek dan Indikasi Geografis.” Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan 8, no. 20 (2022): 398-408. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7243144

Kur, Annette. “Not Prior in Time, But Superior in Right–How Trademark Registrations Can be Affected by Third-Party Interests in a Sign.” IIC-International Review of Intellectual Property and Competition Law 44, no. 7 (2013): 790-814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40319-013-0101-y

Kurniawan, I Gede Agus, Ni Ketut Supasti Dharmawan, Putu Aras Samsithawrati, Anak Agung Ayu Ngurah Sri Rahayu Gorda, and Antonio Gutiérrez-Pozo. “Reconstructing criminal liability in trademark law: Lessons from Indonesia and Spain. Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law Studies 11, no. 1 (2026): 322-345.

Kusumahwardhana, Raden Fajar Agung. “Efektivitas Prinsip First to File Pada Sistem Pendaftaran Merek Dalam Melindungi Hak Merek.” Jurnal Privat Law 11, no. 1 (2023): 12-21. https://doi.org/10.20961/privat.v11i1.47322

Lobo, Lionita Putri, and Indirani Wauran. “Kedudukan istimewa merek terkenal (asing) dalam hukum merek Indonesia.” Masalah-Masalah Hukum 50, no. 1 (2021): 70-83. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.50.1.2021.70-83

Maesa, Isradi, Anggun Lestari Suryamizon, and Jasman Nazar. “Pelaksanaan Pendaftaran Merek Dagang pada Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah di Bukittinggi.” UNES Law Review 6, no. 1 (2023): 602-613. https://doi.org/10.31933/unesrev.v6i1.774

Makka, Zulvia, and Kholis Roisah. “Reformasi Asas Prioritas Merek Dagang Berlandaskan Protokol Madrid di Era Liberalisasi Perdagangan.” Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia 5, no. 3 (2023): 433-454. https://doi.org/10.14710/jphi.v5i3.433-454

Masnun, Muh Ali, D. E. Prasetio, M. B. Awang, and E. Sulistyowati. “Reconstructing Indonesia’s Trademark Registration System through the Lens of General Principles of Good Governance to Realize Substantive Justice.” Journal of Law and Legal Reform 5, no. 3 (2024): 891-912.

Masrur, Devica Rully. “Perlindungan Hukum Indikasi Geografis Yang Telah Didaftarkan Sebagai Merek Berdasarkan Instrumen Hukum Nasional Dan Hukum Internasional.” Lex Jurnalica 15, no. 2 (2018): 198.

Nahdliyah, Hadziqotun, Muhammad Chusnul Khitam, and Rika Izatul Fitri. “Legal Protection for the Owner of Brand Rights According to Law Number 20/2016 of Trademark and Geographical Indication (Trademark and Geographical Indication).” Jurnal Independent 13, no. 1 (2025): 56-64.

Noor, Tajuddin, Suhaila Zulkifli, and Venia Utami Keliat. “Analisis Itikad Tidak Baik dalam Pendaftaran Merek: Tinjauan Hukum dan Implikasinya.” Verdict: Journal of Law Science 4, no. 2 (2025): 87-101. https://doi.org/10.59011/vjlaws.4.2.2025.87-101

Rayendra, Fadhil Fauzan, and Fokky Fuad. “Legal Protection for Foreign Trademark Holders in Indonesia (Supreme Court Decision No. 281 K/Pdt. Sus-HKI/2020).” Daengku: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Innovation 4, no. 6 (2024): 1019-1027. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.daengku3101

Samosir, Prisca Oktaviani, and Aida Mustafa. “Legal protection implications on trademark in Indonesia by comparing the first to use and first to file principles.” In International Conference on Law Reform (Inclar 2019), Dordrecht: Atlantis Press, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200226.029

Sari, Indah. “Urgensi Dan Fungsi Merek Dalam Dunia Bisnis Demi Terjaminnya Perlindungan Hak Atas Kekayaan Intelektual (Haki).” Jurnal Ilmiah M-Progress 15, no. 1 (2025): 23-36. https://doi.org/10.35968/m-pu.v15i1.1390

Sudiyana, Sudiyana. “The Legal Capital Market Protection: Justice for Minority Stock Investors.” Jurnal Hukum Unissula 41, no. 3 (2025): 608-625. https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v41i3.44218

Syafi’iyah, Risma Fernanda, Siti Nur Afifah, Zahwa Sabila Nurul Lailiyah, Selly Salsabila, Mohammad Iqbal, and Firza Agung Prakoso. “Perlindungan hukum hak cipta terhadap pembajakan karya digital di Indonesia.” Mahkamah: Jurnal Riset Ilmu Hukum 3, no. 1 (2026): 106-116.

Syafira, Viona Talitha. “Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Pemegang Hak Merek Superman Terhadap Pelanggaran Merek.” Jurnal Suara Hukum 3, no. 1 (2021): 85-114. https://doi.org/10.26740/jsh.v3n1.p85-114

Tanjung, Damar Ramadhanna, Rinitami Njatrijani, and Bagus Rahmanda. “Penerapan prinsip first to file dalam sengketa merek terkenal.” Law, Development and Justice Review 6, no. 2 (2023): 111-128. https://doi.org/10.14710/halal.v%vi%i.19020

Torong, Eddy Ramon, Adi Sulistiyono, Emmy Latifah, and Flora Samosir. “Protecting Eco-Claimed Trademarks against Trademark Squatting through Prior User Rights within Indonesia’s First to File System.” Journal of Law, Environmental and Justice 4, no. 2 (2026): 642-669. https://doi.org/10.62264/jlej.v4i2.323

Watu, Yohanes Don Bosco. “Anomali Pergeseran Filsafat Hukum Terhadap Keadilan Korban Pemegang Hak Merek Pada Bisnis Online Shop.” Jurnal Hukum Bisnis Bonum Commune (2023): 71-83. https://doi.org/10.38035/jihhp.v5i6.5213

Wijaya, Andrew. “Analisis Yuridis Terhadap Persamaan Pada Pokoknya Dalam Sengketa Merek Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 20 Tahun 2016 Tentang Merek Dan Indikasi Geografis.” Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Humaniora dan Politik (JIHHP) 5, no. 6 (2025): 5081-5094.

Zhang, Ling. “Public order and morality in China’s Trademark Law: a vague scrutiny based on political order and social morals.” Queen Mary Journal of Intellectual Property 11, no. 2 (2021): 198-218. https://doi.org/10.4337/qmjip.2021.02.04

Zulfikri, Zulfikri, and Zulkarnaini Umar. “Legal Protection of Intelectual Property Rights: What is Urgency for the Bussiness World.” Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan 10, no. 1 (2022): 13-26.