Recent IP Law Reforms in France, Indonesia and Bulgaria
.png "Recent IP Law Reforms in France, Indonesia and Bulgaria")
Three jurisdictions introduced significant IP law developments throughout the last few months. Indonesia implemented substantial procedural reforms to its trademark system, Bulgaria enacted amendments designed to modernise national practice and strengthen enforcement measures, and France introduced updated legislation aimed at simplifying its IP procedures.
France Introduces a New Intellectual Property Code
On 2nd July 2026, France introduced a series of amendments to its industrial property framework aimed at modernising and simplifying procedures before the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The reforms include the full digitisation of notifications, changes to fee and refund arrangements, revised eligibility criteria for SME fee reductions, enhanced protection of applicants' personal data, and a range of procedural amendments affecting patents, trade marks and utility certificates.
Collectively, these changes are intended to streamline administrative processes, increase efficiency and align French practice more closely with European standards, while requiring applicants to adapt to new procedural and filing requirements.
Key Changes
|
Legal Provision |
Alteration |
|---|---|
|
Electronic notifications |
Paper notifications abolished; all notifications are now issued electronically via the INPI portal. |
|
Fee refunds abolished |
Refunds of official fees are no longer available, except for unprepared search report fees. Applies to applications filed from 2nd July 2026. |
|
SME fee reductions |
SME eligibility threshold reduced from 1,000 to 250 employees, with reduced-fee requests required at filing. |
|
Personal data protection |
Residential addresses of individual applicants will no longer be published in official registers or INPI databases. |
|
Trademark proceedings |
The decision period for trademark opposition and cancellation extended from three to four months. |
|
Trademark oppositions |
Inadmissible trademark oppositions may now be corrected. |
|
Internal priority claims |
Copies of earlier filings are no longer required for internal priority claims. |
|
Utility certificates |
Third-party observations must be filed within three months of publication. |
|
Patent opposition |
Patent amendments may be submitted until the end of the oral phase. |
Indonesia Introduces Comprehensive Trademark Procedure Reforms
Effective from 23 February 2026, Indonesia’s Ministry of Law implemented amendments to its IP legislation, introducing a comprehensive set of amendments to the country's trademark regime. The new law consolidates a number of practices that had previously been applied administratively, while introducing procedural reforms intended to improve efficiency and clarify the legal framework.
Practical Impact
The regulation is expected to reduce processing times for trademark applications. Where an application is not challenged during the opposition period, examination may begin within 30 days. If an opposition is filed, examination may commence within 90 days. Administrative actions, including the registration of trademark assignments and renewals, have also been expedited, and the issuance of registration certificates in electronic form is now expressly recognised.
The new framework places greater emphasis on documentary compliance, requiring more robust evidence of an applicant's identity and any priority claims. It also establishes formal procedures for several matters that were previously not specifically regulated, such as changes to an owner's name or address, circumstances involving force majeure, and the treatment of collective marks used by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Together, these reforms represent a significant step towards a more efficient and predictable trademark registration system in Indonesia, providing clearer procedural guidance and greater certainty for rights holders and applicants alike.
Bulgaria Modernises Trade Mark Law and Strengthens Enforcement
On 6 March 2026, Bulgaria enacted amendments to the Trade Marks and Geographical Indications Act, modernising national trade mark practice and bringing it more closely into line with the EU Trade Marks Directive (2015/2436). The reforms address a number of long-standing gaps in both enforcement and administrative procedure, while also introducing measures intended to improve efficiency, strengthen brand protection and provide greater legal certainty for rights holders.
Key Changes Overview
|
Legal Provision |
Alteration |
|---|---|
|
Broader Scope of Trademark Protection |
Clarified criteria for assessing likelihood of confusion, reputation and distinctiveness of earlier marks, and economic links between relevant goods and services. |
|
Proof of genuine use |
Parties can now request proof that the earlier mark has been put to genuine use within the five years preceding the filing date. |
|
Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement |
Entered into effect for Bulgaria on 30 June 2026 |
|
Fee Increases |
Increases across the board ranging from approx. 10% - 17% |
|
Bad faith assessment |
The Bulgarian Patent Office may assess bad-faith claims directly in opposition and cancellation proceedings. |
|
Online and anti-counterfeiting enforcement |
New measures introduced to address online infringement and counterfeit goods, transported by postal and courier services. |
Fee Increases — Effective from 26 April 2026
|
Fee Type |
Previous (BGN) |
New (BGN) |
|---|---|---|
|
Filing Fee (one class) |
520 |
570 |
|
Each Additional Class |
150 |
170 |
|
Opposition Fee |
300 |
350 |
|
Renewal Fee (one class) |
600 |
660 |
|
Renewal Fee (each additional class) |
150 |
170 |
What This Means for IP Owners and Attorneys
Applicants with existing or planned filings in these jurisdictions may wish to review their filing and enforcement strategies in light of the recent developments.
The reforms in France, Bulgaria and Indonesia strengthen IP protection while modernising administrative and enforcement procedures. For IP owners, the changes provide broader protection and more effective tools for tackling bad-faith filings, counterfeiting and online infringement. Attorneys should review filing and enforcement strategies to ensure they take full advantage of the new procedures and protections available in all jurisdictions.
For fast and accurate quotes for IP filings, use IP-Coster’s budgeting tool to calculate costs across Bulgaria, France and Indonesia, or contact our team for tailored advice.