By Liben Eabisa
Above: Illustration by Ezra Wube (www.ezraart.net)
Starbucks has backed down from its bid to block Ethiopia’s attempt to trademark three types of coffee bean in the US, according to a joint statement by Ethiopia and the US coffee chain.
The announcement comes after months of public relations battle, which included dueling videos released on You Tube by Starbucks and Oxfam last month.
Ethiopia filed its applications to trademark its most famous coffee bean names – Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe – in US courts last year.
Starbucks said it respects the right and choice of Ethiopia to trademark its coffee brands.
“Starbucks will not oppose Ethiopia’s efforts to obtain trademarks for its specialty coffees–Sidamo, Harar/Harrar and Yirgacheffe–and its efforts to create a network of licensed distributors”, said the joint statement.
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About the Author:
Liben Eabisa is the Founder & Publisher of Tadias Magazine.
