Jakarta – BMW AG has officially filed a lawsuit against BYD Indonesia over the use of the M6 trademark. The lawsuit, which was registered at the Central Jakarta Commercial Court, demands that BYD Indonesia relinquish its right to use the M6 brand.
The case is listed under number 19/Pdt.Sus-HKI/Merek/2025/PN Niaga Jkt.Pst and was officially filed on February 26, 2025. The case is currently in court, and the details have been made public.
Also read: BYD M6 Price & Specifications in Indonesia 2024
Background: Who Registered the M6 First?
BMW AG registered their trademark for M6 in Indonesia on August 20th, 2015 with application number D002015035540. They have plans to keep this mark valid up till August 20, 2025. Class 12 products contain elements of motor vehicles and their structural parts.
On the other hand, BYD also applied for the M6 name in Indonesia under application number DID2024122107 on November 22, 2024. However, BYD’s trademark status is still under substantive examination.
BMW’s Official Statement
BMW Group Indonesia’s Director of Communications, Jodie O’Tania, emphasized that BMW is the legal owner of the M6 brand, which represents a series of luxury sports cars worldwide.
“Regarding the use of the M6 brand by other parties in Indonesia, the BMW Group has taken legal action to protect its identity and reputation,” – Jodie O’Tania, BMW Group Indonesia.
BYD’s Response to the Lawsuit
BYD Indonesia acknowledged the lawsuit. Luther Panjaitan, Head of PR & Government Relations of PT BYD Motor Indonesia, confirmed that BYD’s legal team is handling the case and monitoring its progress.
“It is true that there is a lawsuit between BMW AG and BYD Indonesia at the Central Jakarta Commercial Court. However, this case will not affect BYD’s business operations in Indonesia,” – Luther Panjaitan, BYD Indonesia.
Luther reassured customers that BYD’s services and sales will continue as usual, and the company remains confident in reaching the best possible resolution.
Also read: BMW Launches The New 3 Series at IIMS 2025
Why the Dispute Matters?
BYD applies the M6 brand to an electric MPV, launched in Indonesia in 2024. BMW contends, however, that its M6 brand is internationally associated with its high-performance sports cars, and the permission to BYD to utilize the same brand name might lead to market confusion.
BMW’s Legal Demands
BMW’s suit states the following major demands against BYD Indonesia:
- Acknowledge BMW as the legitimate owner of the M6 trademark.
- Make BYD’s use of the M6 name illegal.
- Require BYD to stop all uses of the M6 brand in Indonesia.
- Impose on BYD the delivery of all products utilizing the M6 name.
- Grant the execution of the court’s ruling regardless of whether or not BYD appeals.
- Make BYD bear all costs pertaining to the courts.
Also read: BYD-M6 Car Live Tour at GIIAS 2024
What’s Next?
The court battle between BMW and BYD is still on. If BMW prevails in the case, BYD might be forced to change the name of its M6 model in Indonesia. But if BYD can establish that there is no brand confusion, it might be able to keep the name.
As the case unfolds, Indonesian consumers will be keenly observing how this conflict impacts BYD’s electric MPV range and BMW’s sports car brand in the nation.
