The Indonesian Commercial Court has issued a recent and significant decision that strengthens the country’s position in international trademark enforcement. On 25 November 2025, the Central Jakarta Commercial Court ruled in favor of Wahl Clipper Corporation, a leading United States brand in grooming and personal care products, in case No. 87/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2025/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst. The Court ordered the cancellation of a trademark registration filed by a local party that imitated the well-known WAHL mark. As a freshly rendered judgment, the case illustrates Indonesia’s increasing commitment to protecting global trademarks in a rapidly developing marketplace while also signaling important implications for ongoing enforcement in Southeast Asia. At this stage, the defendant, Harry Sudjono, still retains the legal right to seek cassation before the Supreme Court, meaning the dispute could continue through Indonesia’s highest judicial forum.

A Significant New Ruling Strengthening Protection for Global and US Brand Owners

In its decision, the Court formally recognized WAHL as a well-known trademark in Indonesia. The mark registered by the defendant under IDM001261688 in Class 4 was deemed confusingly similar and likely to mislead consumers. The Court concluded that the application had been filed in bad faith based on Wahl’s market presence, the defendant’s knowledge of the brand, and the absence of any legitimate business reason to adopt the name. The judgment ordered the cancellation of the registration from the national trademark database and prohibited any further use of the disputed mark. Because this ruling was issued very recently on 25 November 2025, it represents one of the latest examples of Indonesia delivering enforceable protection for foreign trademark owners, particularly those based in the United States.

Indonesian Trademark Law as Applied in a Newly Decided Cross-Border Dispute

Law No. 20 of 2016 on Trademarks and Geographical Indications served as the primary legal basis for this outcome. Article 21 paragraph 1 letter b and Article 21 paragraph 3 require refusal of applications that resemble well-known marks or are filed in bad faith. Wahl’s longstanding commercial footprint satisfies the legal criteria for well-known trademark recognition, providing enhanced legal protection against imitation and dilution. Articles 76 and 77 govern cancellation actions, allowing right holders to remove registrations that violate substantive trademark principles or threaten the integrity of their brand identity. The newly issued decision shows how these provisions continue to operate in real-world cross-border disputes and demonstrates Indonesia’s movement toward global alignment in IP enforcement standards.

A Decade of Trademark Litigation History Supporting Wahl’s Enforcement Strategy

Public records indicate that Wahl Clipper Corporation has been involved in at least ten trademark disputes in Indonesia from 2015 to 2025. This longstanding enforcement history underscores Wahl’s ongoing vigilance as a trademark owner and reflects Indonesia’s status as an active jurisdiction for IP litigation. Several disputes involved recurring attempts by local parties to register signs similar to WAHL, including matters that escalated to cassation before the Supreme Court. The range of processing times, spanning several months to multiple years, highlights the procedural complexity of Indonesian trademark litigation and the importance for foreign brand owners of consistent monitoring and timely objection. The newly decided 2025 case now joins this broader enforcement landscape, providing a contemporary illustration of the challenges and opportunities for international trademark protection in Indonesia.

Ongoing Implications and the Possibility of Cassation by the Defendant

Although Wahl has secured a clear victory at the Commercial Court, the case remains procedurally open. Under Indonesian procedural law, the defendant, Harry Sudjono, may still file a cassation petition to the Supreme Court. This means the legal process could continue at the highest level of Indonesia’s judicial system. For international businesses following this case, the potential cassation underscores the importance of long-term enforcement strategies and sustained legal representation when protecting trademarks in Indonesia.

Conclusion: A Newly Decided Case Reinforcing Indonesia’s Role in International Trademark Enforcement

The judgment handed down on 25 November 2025 marks an important moment in Indonesia’s development as a jurisdiction that supports strong brand protection for foreign and American trademark owners. By recognizing WAHL as a well-known mark and cancelling a bad-faith registration, the Court has signaled its willingness to uphold international intellectual property standards. While the possibility of cassation remains open, the current ruling stands as a significant affirmation of Indonesia’s capacity to protect global trademark assets.

ARBIL & Co. continues to assist international IP attorneys, multinational companies, and global brand owners with strategic and reliable trademark prosecution, enforcement, and litigation services throughout Indonesia, including representation in cassation proceedings should they arise.