The meeting was an initial coordination for a series of activities of Indonesian delegates in the US to discuss issues on intellectual property, from regulation implementation to law enforcement. Head of the Indonesian delegates, Director of Investigation and Dispute Settlement Anom Wibowo and members were welcomed by the chargé d'affaires ad interim, Iwan Freddy Harri Santoso and his staff.

Anom said that Indonesia was truly committed to intellectual property law enforcement. The establishment of the Operations Task Force consisting of five authorized institutions on law enforcement is proof of this commitment.

“The members of the Task Force are the DGIP, Bareskrim, Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Communications and Information Ministry and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency [BPOM],” said Anom.

He added that the establishment of the Task Force was an amendment to the National Team for Mitigating Intellectual Property, which was formed in 2006. “The previous team was considered to   be ineffective in handling law enforcement,” Anom said.

According to Anom, Indonesia will work together with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to support the efforts of the Indonesian government to be removed from the Priority Watch List (PWL). The list is issued by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to evaluate intellectual property infringement and enforcement among US trading partners.

The agenda of this visit to the US also included several meetings with the USTR, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the US Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, the Collective Management Organization in the US, the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association and Microsoft.

In response to the agenda of the visit, Iwan hoped that the meeting would convince the USTR of the  significant progress made by Indonesia in wiping out counterfeit and pirated goods.

“The visit will have a long-term impact, particularly on the Indonesian economy on the international  stage to assure other countries that Indonesia is a safe country for their investment,” said Iwan.

Moreover, Iwan added that strong coordination with other ministries and law enforcers as well as relevant stakeholders would also create more opportunities for Indonesian efforts in intellectual property enforcement.

“This partnership is a strategic move to make a good impression and convince the USTR,” he said.

He also said that the Walt Disney Company, a leading entertainment provider, had given a positive response to Indonesia’s moves to protect and enforce intellectual property.

“We have achieved the attention and appreciation from Disney and it considers Indonesia as one of the best countries in handling intellectual property infringement,” said Iwan.

He also highlighted the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the US for the agenda of the Operations Task Force in removing Indonesia from the PWL.

The Indonesian delegation consisted of Director of Patents, Layout Design and  Integrated Circuits and Trade Secrets Dede Mia Yusanti; Director of Trademark and Geographical Indication Nofli; Director of IP Cooperation and Empowerment Daulat P. Silitonga; and Head of Sub Directorate I of the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes of Bareskrim  Samsu Arifin.

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