Indonesians File Complaints Over Online IP Infringement

By Jessica Turner 08/07/2026 3 min read 14 views

Indonesia’s regulation on reporting online intellectual property (IP) infringement provides procedural guidance for rights holders and their licensees. Issued in December 2025 by the Ministry of Law as Regulation No. 47 of 2025 regarding Handling of Intellectual Property Infringement Reports in Electronic Systems, the rule covers all types of IP rights and specifies documentation requirements. Complainants may submit reports through the online system of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), in person at the DGIP office, or through an authorized proxy.

Applicants must provide personal details, a description of the protected work, a detailed account of the alleged infringement, and the certificate of registration or recordal of the relevant IP. A recordal of the IP license agreement is also required if one exists. Upon receiving a complaint, the responsible formality officer may request clarification or additional supporting documents. In this case, the complainant must then submit the necessary administrative documents within 14 days of the notification date.

Once the documentation is deemed complete and sufficient, the case will be formally registered. The DGIP will establish a verification team to handle online IP violations, which will include the Civil Servant Investigator (PPNS), the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, experts with relevant expertise in IP, and representatives from related associations such as AVISI (Indonesian Video Streaming Association). After examining the report, the team will prepare the Minutes of Verification, which will outline the details of the complaint, review the supporting evidence, and conclude with recommendations for further action.

For general IP cases, verification is to be completed within three working days of the complaint being registered. For infringement conducted through livestreaming, verification and recommendations shall be carried out within 24 hours. The verification team will prepare a recommendation outlining whether the reported content constitutes IP infringement and propose appropriate enforcement measures, such as content removal, access blocking, or other necessary actions.

The DGIP is currently preparing technical guidelines to support the implementation of this regulation and is also considering an official fee for filing complaints. This administrative framework marks a significant step forward in the country’s digital governance, aiming to streamline the often-complex process of removing illegal content from the web. By formalizing the roles of investigators, digital ministry representatives, and industry associations like AVISI, the government attempts to create a collaborative enforcement model that balances strict legal action with the practical realities of managing online platforms.

Enforcement and Results

If infringement is confirmed based on the outcome of the examination and verification, the DGIP will issue a recommendation for enforcement measures. These may include partial or full suspension of access to the website, removal of the infringing content, and suspension of the relevant account (access termination). The recommendation will be reported to the complainant, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, or the relevant electronic system operator where the infringement was found, depending on the nature of the infringement.

Access to blocked content or platforms may be restored upon request by electronic system operators, provided that authorization is obtained from the relevant IP owner or a settlement or mediation has been reached with the complainant. Any request for reopening must be supported by relevant documentation and will be subject to the same administrative examination and verification procedures as the initial complaint.

According to DGIP reports, from the beginning of the year until May 17, 2026, the Directorate of Law Enforcement had shut down 119 copyright-infringing websites, including those streaming pirated movies and TV series, as well as websites offering pirated digital books, webtoons, and digital comics, along with other sites containing infringing content. The DGIP has also received complaints from international-level bodies, such as the Copyright Overseas Promotion Association (COA), the Indonesian Video Streaming Association (AVISI), and the Motion Picture Association (MPA). Such government support encourages IP holders and the public to engage in efforts to combat IP infringement, thereby contributing to the development of a secure and sustainable digital ecosystem. The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.