Intel unzips Java jeans

Intel Corp has won a legal victory over a jeans maker in Indonesia selling trousers under the Intel brand.

The chip maker had its complaint against the denim vendor upheld despite the fact that trousers and computer processors are fairly different products.

The decision is seen as a positive step as Indonesia is seen as generally weak on protecting brands, the FT reports. Other brands available include Sony underpants and Rolex cigarettes.

It is still difficult to enforce trademarks in Indonesia although the situation seems to be improving.

John Matheson, Intel's group general counsel for Asia-Pacific, told the FT: "There's no doubt that Indonesia has made improvements in its system and the committment to improving IP protection seems to be real."

Intel is continuing with a 13-year battle against another Indonesian company. ®