How to Enforce Your Trademark Rights in Indonesia: A Guide to Protecting Your Brand
By Carola Montinja Indonesia’s legal framework for trademarks is designed to prioritize registration rights under the first-to-file system, meaning that protection is granted to the first party who officially registers a mark, rather than the first to use it. This system underscores the importance of registering your trademark early to secure your rights. Trademark law […]
Kutus Kutus: The Trademark Dispute Behind Indonesia’s Iconic Herbal Oil
By Carola Montinja Kutus Kutus, a traditional herbal rub oil from Bali, Indonesia, is widely recognized across the country. It was created and formulated in 2011 by Servasius Bambang Pranoto (“Bambang”), who, following a serious accident that left him partially paralysed, turned to traditional herbal medicine after finding conventional treatments unsatisfactory. Drawing on decades of […]
Overlap in Business Names, Trade Names & Trademark: Which Should Come First?
By Van Trinh One of the most common and costly mistakes entrepreneurs make is believing that simply registering a business name and using it in daily operations automatically gives them exclusive trademark rights. The truth is, a business name, a trade name, and a trademark are very different concepts, each carrying its own scope of […]
Timor-Leste: The Emerging Landscape for Trademarks and Industrial Designs in ASEAN’s Newest Member
By Alvin Boey The halls of Kuala Lumpur recently played host to a gathering that underlined one clear truth: ASEAN is no longer a back-water of global commerce, it is a global crossroads. At the 47th ASEAN Summit hosted in Kuala Lumpur between 26 and 28 October 2025, leaders from across Southeast Asia sat alongside […]
Practical Guide For Trademark Use In Vietnam
By Van Trinh Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are gaining significant attention from the Vietnamese government, not only as a means to safeguard the true value of IP assets but also as a catalyst for technology and innovation. Backed by strong governmental support and a clear national strategy to combat counterfeiting and protect consumers, Vietnam is […]
Tiktok Lost Its Trademark Opposition Against ‘Tiki’ In Singapore: A Trademark Showdown Explained
By Eloise Wilkes-Barnewall When big companies perceive the registration of a particular trademark could impose on their trademark protection, and consequently, their brand reputation and market presence, it is not uncommon for them to challenge the application of said threatening trademarks. In December 2021 and January 2022, tech giant ByteDance Ltd (“the Opponent”), owner of […]
Trademark Filings in ASEAN: A Five-Year Outlook (2020–2024)
In the last five years, trademark activity across ASEAN has painted a fascinating picture of how businesses and brands are expanding their presence in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. From Indonesia’s booming numbers to Malaysia’s steady climb, the filing data tells a story of ambition, growth, and resilience. At KASS International, we’ve had […]
Well-Known Marks Are Now Registered Ex-Parte in The Philippines
By Ma. Syril Diesta In a significant development for brand owners, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has allowed the ex-parte registration of well-known marks in the Philippines. With the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 2025-009 effective 28 April 2025, IPOPHL has officially launched the Rules and Regulations for the Declaration and Creation […]
Invalidation Battle Can CROSSFIT cross CrossFeet?
By Eloise Wilkes-Barnewall Challenging the validity of a registered trademark through ‘invalidation’ is one of the powerful tools for trademark enforcement. In Singapore, an invalidation claim against a registered trademark can be filed on the basis that it fails to meet registrability criteria. This process took centre stage in the dispute between CrossFit LLC (“CrossFit”) […]
The Long and Winding Road – Supreme Court Finally Cancels Gloria Maris Marks Filed in Bad Faith
By Ma. Syril Diesta Bad faith in the context of trademark registration in the Philippines means that the applicant or registrant has knowledge of prior creation, use and/or registration by another of an identical or similar trademark. In the case of GLORIA MARIS SHARK’S FIN RESTAURANT, INC., PETITIONER, VS. PACIFICO Q. LIM, RESPONDENT, G.R. No. […]