If you’re curious about whether Indonesia allows a grace period for trademark renewals, the answer is yes—there is a legally permitted six-month grace period. This period allows brand owners who miss the regular renewal deadline to maintain their trademark rights, albeit with added cost and procedural steps.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the grace period works, why it exists, and what happens if you miss it.
Also read: Understanding Trademark Regulation in Indonesia
What Is the Grace Period for Trademarks in Indonesia?
Indonesia’s Trademark Law No. 20 of 2016 governs the registration, renewal, and cancellation of trademark rights. Trademarks are valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for successive ten-year periods.
Trademark owners are allowed to renew within 6 months before the expiration date. But if this window is missed, the law provides a 6-month grace period starting from the date of expiry. During this post-expiry window, a trademark can still be renewed by paying an additional surcharge.
What Happens If You Miss the Grace Period?
Failing to renew within both the regular and grace periods means your trademark will be officially removed from the register. Once this happens:
- The trademark cannot be reinstated.
- You must file a new application from scratch.
- The new application won’t retain the original registration priority, leaving it vulnerable to objections or competing claims.
This reset can significantly impact your brand protection, especially if third parties attempt to register a similar mark.
Also read: What Happens If You Break Intellectual Property in Indonesia?
Cost Implications of Using the Grace Period
The Indonesian trademark system imposes a surcharge on grace-period renewals. While the exact amount is not fixed in public regulations, the additional fee acts as a penalty and administrative cost.
So, while the grace period provides flexibility, it’s financially more efficient to renew during the standard 6-month pre-expiry window.
Also read: The Importance of Registering Intellectual Property Rights (HaKI)
How to Renew a Trademark in Indonesia
Whether you’re filing during the regular period or the grace period, here are the standard requirements:
- Application submission, electronically or manually
- Use of the Indonesian language
- A Power of Attorney must be provided if the application is submitted by a representative.
- Renewal and any applicable late fees must be paid
Foreign entities must appoint a registered Indonesian trademark attorney to handle the filing.
For a simpler process, you can rely on InvestinAsia’s services for IP, Copyright, Patent, and Trademark registration in Indonesia. Our team of experts will ensure that the application is hassle-free for you.
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Legal Evolution and International Alignment
Before 2016, there was no grace period at all—renewals had to be made strictly in the 12 months before expiry. The 2016 Trademark Law introduced the more business-friendly 6+6 month renewal timeline.
Further, in 2024, the Indonesian Constitutional Court extended the non-use cancellation period from 3 to 5 years, giving trademark owners more breathing room to develop their brand without immediate risk of losing protection for non-use.
Proactive Tips for Trademark Owners
To avoid last-minute renewals or missed deadlines:
- Set early internal deadlines—ideally 9–12 months before expiration
- Use a trademark management system with automatic alerts
- Work with a local trademark attorney to monitor compliance
- Budget for both standard and late renewal fees
This is especially critical for companies managing large portfolios or operating internationally.
Indonesia does offer a six-month grace period following the official trademark expiration date. However, this should be treated as a contingency option rather than a planned approach.
Renewing early helps you avoid higher costs, reduces risk, and ensures that your intellectual property stays protected without interruption. And with evolving legal frameworks—including extended non-use periods and enhanced IP protections—Indonesia continues to align its IP laws with global best practices.
For companies, entrepreneurs, and legal professionals managing trademarks in Indonesia, timely action is the most cost-effective and secure path forward.
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