Background
Indonesia’s Industrial Design Law (Law No. 31 of 2000) has been in force for over two decades and is now considered outdated in light of technological advances, evolving industrial practices, and international legal developments. Recognizing the need for modernization, the Indonesian government and the House of Representatives (DPR) have been working on a comprehensive replacement bill – the Industrial Design Bill (RUU Desain Industri) – since at least mid-2010s.
The reform initiative aims to strengthen the protection of industrial designs, support the competitiveness of Indonesian creative industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), align domestic law with international standards (including the Hague Agreement on international design registration), and address gaps in the current regime related to enforcement, examination procedures, and the scope of protection.
Current Legislative Status
The Industrial Design Bill was formally included in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) in 2018 as a bill to amend or replace Law No. 31 of 2000. It has remained on the legislative agenda and was designated as a priority bill in the 2024 Prolegnas. In December 2025, the DPR established a Special Committee (Pansus) to advance deliberations on the RUU Desain Industri, signaling renewed momentum toward its enactment. However, as of March 2026, the Bill has not yet been passed into law, and Law No. 31 of 2000 remains in full effect.
The Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) has declared 2025 as the “Year of Copyright and Industrial Design,” underscoring the government’s strategic focus on this area and its commitment to finalizing the legislative reforms.
Key Proposed Changes
Public materials from the DGIP, DPR, and legal commentators indicate that the Industrial Design Bill includes several substantive changes:
- Dual Protection System: The Bill introduces a recordal (unregistered) system for designs with short commercial lifecycles (e.g., textiles and fashion), offering a three-year protection period from first publication. This complements the traditional registered design system and provides faster, simpler protection for rapidly evolving products.
- Revised Protection Term: Registered industrial designs will receive an initial protection period of five years, renewable for up to two additional five-year terms (15 years total), replacing the current non-renewable 10-year term.
- Substantive Examination and Novelty: The Bill strengthens substantive examination requirements, particularly with respect to novelty assessments, to reduce consumer confusion and prevent unfair competition.
- Industrial Design Appeals Commission: A new independent administrative body, the Industrial Design Appeals Commission (Komisi Banding Desain Industri), will be established to hear appeals against refusal decisions, corrections, and the granting of industrial design rights. This mechanism aims to provide faster, more accessible remedies and reduce the burden on commercial courts.
- Enhanced Enforcement and Sanctions: Updated provisions on cancellation, dispute resolution, and enforcement include criminal and administrative sanctions for infringement, as well as potential liability for shopping centers and e-commerce platforms that facilitate the circulation of infringing goods.
- Alignment with International Standards: The Bill is designed to facilitate Indonesia’s effective participation in the Hague System for international industrial design registration, enabling Indonesian creators to seek protection in multiple jurisdictions through a single application.
International Context and Compliance
Although Indonesia has been a signatory to the Hague Agreement since 1950, the current law requires domestic registration and does not fully align with international best practices or the TRIPS Agreement in all respects. Legal scholars and practitioners have emphasized that ratification of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement and harmonization of domestic law with the Hague System are urgent priorities to ensure full compliance with Indonesia’s international IP obligations and to strengthen regional trade cooperation, including within the ASEAN IMT-GT framework.
Outlook and Implications
The establishment of the Special Committee in late 2025 and the continued prioritization of the Bill suggest that enactment may occur in 2026. Once passed, the new law is expected to significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of industrial design protection in Indonesia, encourage greater innovation and creativity in the design sector, enhance legal certainty for rights holders and investors, and better position Indonesia within the global intellectual property landscape.
Stakeholders—including designers, manufacturers, legal practitioners, and investors—are advised to monitor official announcements from the DPR, DGIP, and the Ministry of Law for updates on the Bill’s progress, final text, and effective date.