What is the current status of the Initiative?
To date the EIPO has registered trademarks for Sidamo, Harar/Harrar and Yirgacheffe in 28 countries. A number of other applications are ongoing. See the Table below for the current trademark application status.
Trademark Application Status (January 2008)
| Country | Sidamo | Harar/Harrar | Yirgacheffe |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Registered * | Registered * | Registered |
| EU | Registered | Registered | Registered |
| Japan | Pending # | Pending # | Pending # |
| Canada | Registered | Registered | Registered |
| Brazil | Pending + | Pending + | Pending + |
| China | Applied for | Applied for | Applied for |
| India | Preparation | Preparation | Preparation |
| Australia | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| South Africa | Applied for | Applied for | Applied for |
| Saudi Arabia | Applied for | Applied for | Applied for |
Note:
* Subject to no further opposition.
# Prior claim to Harrar by Japanese company abandoned. All applications subject to an invalidation petition by the AJCA. Invalidation case recently suspended by Japan IPO to allow for negotiations.
+ Pending no objections filed.
The current stage of the Initiative involves dialogue with importers and distributors of Sidamo, Harar (or Harrar) and Yirgacheffe coffees on licensing agreements and participation in the network of licensed distributors.
All companies that want to promote a Trademarked Ethiopian coffee will require a license. The TM licenses are royalty-free. The licensing agreement itself is a straightforward document, similar to distribution agreements in many other industries. It acknowledges Ethiopia’s ownership of the marks Sidamo, Harar (Harrar), and Yirgacheffe, and sets the basis for joint marketing promotions and overall brand enhancement of the targeted Ethiopian coffees with the participating coffee companies. [See Licensing for more details.]