GoTo escapes lawsuit over brand name

After going through a lengthy court process since late 2019, GoTo (a collaboration between Karya Anak Bangsa or Gojek and Tokopedia) finally managed to win a lawsuit against Terbit Financial Technology or Terbit Fintech.

Terbit Fintech sued GoTo because the former considered that it is the sole owner and holder of the rights to the registered GOTO brand. According to Terbit Fintech, GoTo is similar to its brand.

The court decided to rule in favour of GoTo's objection (exception) regarding the judicial authority (absolute authority) of the Jakarta District Court.

"The Commercial Court is not authorised to adjudicate the case of Intellectual Property Rights lawsuit Number 71/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2021/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst," reads one of the rulings published on the official website of the Central Jakarta District Court.

Terbit Fintech was also sentenced to pay court fees amounting to Rp2.5 million.

Terbit Fintech filed a lawsuit to the court to make it the sole owner of the GOTO brand and all of its variations and requested that Gojek and Tokopedia stop using the GoTo brand.

Terbit Fintech also asked for material compensation of Rp1.83 trillion and immaterial compensation of Rp250 billion. The company also asked Gojek and Tokopedia to pay forced money (dwangsom) of Rp1 billion every day if they were late in implementing the decision.

However, because it was submitted to an unauthorised court, the lawsuit could not be pursued.