Who is supporting the Initiative?
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The Ethiopian Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Initiative is led by the Ethiopian Intellectual Office (EIPO) with financial support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID). |
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The Government of Ethiopia and its overseas Embassies are vigorously assisting the initiative and the Government is directing new coffee sector development efforts towards improved marketing and quality management schemes, creating opportunities for investment in new promotions and outreach. The Government will not collect any revenue from the scheme and all licenses to coffee companies are being issued royalty-free i.e. at no charge to the coffee importers, distributors or retailers. |
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Light Years IP is an innovative NGO dedicated to promoting pro-poor IP solutions to poverty allevation. Light Years IP is providing professional and technical assistance to the EIPO. |
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Founded over 50 years ago, Washington DC-based law firm Arnold & Porter is one of the top 10 US law firms, with eight offices and approximately 625 attorneys practicing in almost 30 areas. Arnold & Porter LLP has one of the nation's leading pro bono programs and is advising Ethiopia on its Trademarking and Licensing Iniatiave. |
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Oxfam International seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development. They are a global campaigning force promoting the awareness and motivation that comes with global citizenship and have played a major role in bringing Ethiopia's Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Initiative to the world media. |
| Many other development and consumer campaign organisations have rallied and are supporting Ethiopia's initiative with education, outreach and activism including, Lutheran World Relief, Coop America, Global Exchange, Food First and many more. In addition, more than 100,000 individual consumers worldwide have come forward to date to support Ethiopia with a direct action to urge Starbucks to support Ethiopia's Trademarking and Licensing Initiative. |
The initiative has received no funding from coffee companies.