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Why patents matter to Indonesia

Jakarta 30 — 31 August 2022

Indonesia’s 2016 Patent Act downgraded the country’s intellectual property framework well below regional standards, something the Widodo government has tried to rectify with its Omnibus Job Creation Bill.

But there are still many areas for improvement including restrictions on patentability criteria, counterproductive rules around compulsory licensing, and the erosion of patent life in the processes of patent examination and regulatory review.

In collaboration with local think tank partner, Paramadina Public Policy Institute, Geneva Network organised a series of activities in Jakarta to feed into government discussions about reform of the 2016 Patent Act.

Together, we made the case for further patent law reform to key government and civil society stakeholders. We highlighted the importance of a strong patent framework for economic development, investment and health progress, and made suggestions for reform of specific areas.

IP Patent Office,
Ministry of Law and Human Rights

Stephen Ezell (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) and staff from Paramadina Public Policy Institute visited leaders from the IP Patent Office to share perspectives, including Dede Mia Yusanti Director IT of IP patent office, Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

Public seminar

50 of Jakarta’s IP stakeholders from government, industry and academia gathered for a joint Geneva Network / Paramadina Public Policy Institute roundtable focusing on reforming the patent system. Our speakers made the case for further reform of the 2016 Patent Act to encourage investment, collaboration and voluntary technology transfer.

Speakers included Sri Lastami (Director for Cooperation and IP Empowerment), Raymond (Legal Analyst at National Development Law Agency BPHN), Stephen Ezell (Information and Innovation Technology Foundation), Nies Purwati (Senior Director Government Affairs Qualcomm).

This new joint Geneva Network / Paramadina Public Policy Institute briefing paper underlines the importance of a strong patent system for Indonesia’s economic development and makes the case for legislative reforms.

These include aligning patentability criteria with international best practice; preserving patent life via legislation such as Patent Term Adjustment; and reforming rules around compulsory licensing to encourage voluntary collaboration and tech transfer.

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