The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in cooperation with Indonesia’s Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) under the Ministry of Law, and with the support of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), organized a Scaled-Up Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC) from September 23 to 26, 2025 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Building on earlier editions held in Jakarta, the Surabaya clinic marked the first regional IPMC delivered outside the capital area, advancing DGIP’s efforts to decentralize IP support services and bring practical tools closer to entrepreneurs and innovators across Indonesia.
A Practical Journey from IP Awareness to Strategy
The event opened with remarks by Mr. Kazutoshi Inoue, Expert from the Japan Patent Office (JPO); Ms. Sarah Nassar, Associate Program Officer, IP for Business Division (IPBD), WIPO; Ms. Marchienda Werdany, Deputy Director of Cooperation, DGIP; and Mr. Haris Sukamto, Head of the East Java Regional Office, Ministry of Law. They emphasized that IP is not merely a legal formality but a vital strategic tool for business competitiveness, innovation, and export readiness.
Throughout the first day, participants explored how IP can be integrated into business planning, branding, and market development. WIPO and K&K Advocates delivered technical sessions covering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, and trade secrets, highlighting how each IP right contributes to value creation and investor confidence.
A panel discussion featured Ms. Marchienda Werdany (DGIP) and Ms. Rizka Khairunnisa, Senior Associate at K&K Advocates, who discussed the practical realities for Indonesian SMEs from navigating ownership and confidentiality issues to protecting brands and content on digital platforms.
Subsequent discussions focused on reducing business risk, building brand equity, and generating revenue through IP, with examples of successful licensing, franchising, and partnerships. These sessions underscored how early IP planning can safeguard innovation and open new commercial opportunities.
Indonesian Entrepreneurs Showcase the Power of IP
The afternoon featured a panel of Indonesian business leaders sharing their own experiences in using IP to drive growth. Mrs. Radina Lindawati, owner of Rinora, presented her journey in protecting eco-printed textile designs inspired by natural dyes; Mrs. Sry Wahyuni, founder of Ning Niniek, shared how geographical identity and traditional craft techniques were leveraged through branding and trademark protection; while Mrs. Wiwit Manfaati, founder of Witrove, explained how distinctive product design and packaging helped her wellness brand stand out in a competitive local market. Together, they demonstrated how SMEs can translate creativity and cultural heritage into protected, marketable assets.
Participants were also introduced to the Bahasa Indonesia version of the WIPO IP Diagnostic Tool, presented by Mr. Djunaid Oozeerally, Young Expert at WIPO, which allows businesses to self-assess their IP practices and identify next steps for improvement. The session concluded with an engaging simulation exercise, in which SMEs, working in small groups, mapped their intangible assets onto a business model canvas and selected combinations of IP rights within a set budget—illustrating the practical trade-offs that businesses face in real-world IP decision-making.
Deep-Dive Mentoring for 20 Companies
From September 24 to 26, 20 selected SMEs participated in two-hour one-on-one mentoring sessions led by Ms. Rizka Khairunnisa, Senior Associate at K&K Advocates, and Ms. Raniya Ockvalynie, IP and Business Consultant at K&K Advocates, alongside WIPO and DGIP officers. Conducted in Bahasa and English with interpretation support, the consultations focused on mapping intangible assets, clarifying ownership and confidentiality, building balanced IP portfolios, and linking IP strategy with commercialization and international expansion plans.
Participating companies represented a broad range of industries such as food and beverage, beauty and wellness, creative industries, fashion and crafts, and digital services, reflecting the diversity of Surabaya’s SME ecosystem. Each company left the session with tailored recommendations to enhance its IP strategy and strengthen long-term competitiveness.
A Step Forward for Regional Innovation
By expanding the IPMC model beyond Jakarta, WIPO, DGIP, and JPO are ensuring that Indonesian entrepreneurs across regions can access practical, business-focused IP support. The Surabaya edition represents a key milestone in empowering local SMEs to turn their creativity and innovation into protected, high-value assets ready for national and global markets.