Do you already have a catchy brand name and ready to go digital? Before you get too far, there’s one important step that business owners often miss: making sure your trademark hasn’t been used by someone else. Imagine if you’ve done all the promotion, logo design, packaging, eh… it turns out that your brand name has already been registered by someone else. Duh, it can get messy, right?
Well, so that you don’t experience the same thing, let’s take a look at this handy guide to check whether your trademark is registered or not.
Why is Trademark Checking Important?
Many new business owners focus too much on marketing without realizing the importance of trademark registration. In fact, a trademark is your business identity. If someone else uses it and it’s already registered, you could lose the exclusive rights to the name.
Some risks if you don’t check and register your trademark:
- Your business could be sued for infringing on someone else’s property rights.
- The name you built from scratch could be “taken over”.
- It’s difficult to build a consistent brand image in the market.
Prevention is always better than cure, right?
Steps to Check Trademarks in Indonesia
Relax, you don’t need to be a legal expert to check your trademark. Just follow these steps:
1. Access the DJKI Website
First, open the official website of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) at:
👉 https://pdki-indonesia.dgip.go.id
This is the official government portal for checking data on brands, patents, copyrights, and so on.
2. Use the “Brand Search” Feature
After entering the main page, click on the “Brand” menu and select “Brand Search”. Here you can type the name of the brand you want to check.
Example: If you want to use the name “Roti Bahagia”, simply type “Roti Bahagia” in the search field, then click Search.
3. Scrutinize the Search Results
The website will display a list of registered brands with similar or identical names. Pay attention:
- Brand name: is it exactly the same or similar?
- Status: is it active, in process, or rejected?
- Class of goods/services: make sure it matches the type of your product/service.
If the results are nil or the brands that appear are in different fields, chances are you’re still safe. But still proceed to the trademark registration process to secure it legally.
Case Study: Good Name but Failed to Register a Trademark
A few years ago, a culinary entrepreneur in Bandung had a geprek chicken business with a unique name, let’s call it “Geprek Sultan”. His business was selling well, but he forgot to register the brand. A few months later, a similar business with the same name emerged – and as it turns out, the second one immediately registered its trademark with the DJKI.
What happened? The original owner ended up having to rebrand, change all promotional materials, and lose customers who had already recognized the name “Geprek Sultan”. Financial and emotional loss.
Tips Before Registering a Trademark
Before you officially register a trademark, it’s a good idea to consider the following things:
- Brainstorm unique and unused names.
- Check domain names and social media – make sure they are available.
- Consider the appropriate class of goods/services – this will determine the scope of your trademark’s legal protection.
If you’re sure, register immediately through the DJKI or use the services of an IPR consultant to help you with the process.
Confused about Trademark Registration? Leave it to the experts!
If you want your trademark affairs to run smoothly, quickly, and not complicated, you can use the services of acaciapat.com. They are authorized intellectual property consultants who are ready to help from A to Z – from brand checking, class selection, to official registration at the DJKI.
✨ The advantages of acaciapat.com:
- Easy and transparent process
- Affordable fees, can be paid in installments
- Assisted by a team of experienced experts
- Safe and officially registered with DJKI
So, instead of wasting time and getting confused yourself, leave it to the experts and focus on growing your business.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late, Protect Your Trademark Now
Building a brand takes time and effort. Don’t let all your efforts go to waste just because you forgot a small step: checking and registering your trademark. By checking early, you can sleep well knowing that your brand is legally safe.
Have you checked your trademark today? If not, let’s go straight to the DJKI website and if you need professional help, visit Acacia Oktroi Biro right now!