From Trial Defeat to Supreme Court Triumph The "VOICE CADDIE" Trademark Reconsideration Story

The landscape of cross-border intellectual property litigation in Indonesia has always tested the grit of even the world’s most established brand owners. For years, foreign corporations facing entrenched local registrations under the country's strict first-to-file framework have often felt like they were fighting an uphill battle, especially when lower tribunals misinterpret global reputation and applicant intent. Yet, a landmark decision from the Supreme Court of Indonesia has dramatically rewritten that narrative. It stands as proof that strategic persistence and extraordinary legal remedies can right a wrong. The hard-fought victory of South Korean sports-technology innovator VC Inc. in reclaiming its flagship "VOICE CADDIE" trademark from local registrant Erdy Djohan is a masterclass in tenacity, brilliant litigation strategy, and the evolving depth of Indonesian appellate jurisprudence.

This legal odyssey began back on December 12, 2023, when VC Inc. formally filed a Trademark Invalidation Lawsuit at the Central Jakarta Commercial Court under case number 118/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2023/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst. At the core of the dispute was a direct collision in Class 9, covering advanced global positioning systems, distance-measuring gear, and golf electronics. The defendant, Erdy Djohan, held a local registration under number IDM000495657 filed on June 25, 2013, which directly blocked VC Inc.’s path in the Indonesian market.

Even though the plaintiff presented robust evidence of prior foreign registrations, dating back to South Korea on October 12, 2010, Japan on August 5, 2011, Europe on October 31, 2012, the United Kingdom on October 31, 2012, Australia on December 14, 2012, and China on December 21, 2012, VC Inc. was dealt a harsh blow when the Commercial Court dismissed the lawsuit entirely on August 15, 2024.

Refusing to back down, VC Inc. took the fight to the Cassation level at the Supreme Court. But the road ahead only grew steeper. On April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court handed down Decision Number 228 K/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2025, upholding the lower court's dismissal. The majority bench reasoned that when the local registration was filed on June 25, 2013, VC Inc.’s mark had not yet attained well-known status within the Indonesian domestic market, finding insufficient proof of bad faith on the defendant's part. Yet, buried within that ruling was a powerful beacon of hope: a striking dissenting opinion from the bench. The dissenting justice rightly pointed out that golf is a massive global sport, and the identical adoption of a specialized term like "VOICE CADDIE", where "caddie" carries a distinct, universal meaning in golfing culture, clearly pointed toward consumer confusion and appropriation without good faith.

For many international brand owners, hitting a brick wall at the Supreme Court cassation stage feels like the final chapter. Under Indonesian procedural law, however, when a judicial ruling suffers from a manifest legal error or oversight, an extraordinary legal remedy remains open: Reconsideration. Refusing to let its global brand equity be compromised by a procedural deadlock, VC Inc. through its counsel filed for Reconsideration at the Central Jakarta Commercial Court on November 28, 2025 under register number 14 PK/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2025/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst juncto Number 228 K/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2025 juncto Number 118/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2023/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst.

That unwavering commitment finally bore fruit during a public hearing on August 18, 2026. The Supreme Court panel handling the Reconsideration delivered a monumental ruling under Case Number 23 PK/Pdt.Sus-HKI/2026. The highest bench openly acknowledged the clear errors in prior judgments, ruling definitively that VC Inc. had firmly established its rightful priority as the owner of the well-known "VOICE CADDIE" mark through its extensive international footprint. Crucially, the Supreme Court pierced through the defense, concluding that Erdy Djohan’s registration was secured in bad faith with the clear intent to ride on the coattails of the plaintiff's global reputation. Meanwhile, VC Inc. had also proactively secured its position by filing a fresh application in Indonesia under number DID2023103292 on November 7, 2023.

The Reconsideration ruling completely overturned the lower decisions, ordering the total cancellation of registration IDM000495657 from the official trademark registry and holding the respondent liable for court costs. Spanning nearly three years of grueling litigation from December 12, 2023 to its final, binding (inkracht van gewijsde) triumph on August 18, 2026, this case sends a powerful message to global brand owners and international legal counsel. It proves that in Indonesia's complex legal ecosystem, an early defeat at the Commercial Court or Cassation level is never the end of the road. With meticulous evidentiary work, a sharp grasp of extraordinary remedies, and unyielding tactical resolve, international innovators can successfully protect their intellectual property and reclaim what is theirs in Indonesia.

Navigating the nuances of trademark litigation in Indonesia, from building trial strategies at the Commercial Court to pursuing extraordinary remedies before the Supreme Court, requires deep legal expertise and absolute dedication. ARBIL & Co. stands at the forefront of intellectual property practice in Indonesia, ready to guide multinational corporations and global law firms through high-stakes cross-border disputes. To explore how we can fortify your brand portfolio and protect your assets in Indonesia, connect directly with our specialist team at info@arbil.co.id.

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