Ethiopian Coffee Network

Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union

On behalf of Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union... I urge coffee distributors, wholesalers and retailers in North America, Europe and elsewhere to join us in supporting this project which is intended to both increase and stabilize the incomes of farmers and others who work in the coffee sector.

Tadesse Meskela
General Manager

Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO)

In moral and business terms, Ethiopia firmly claims the right to own trademarks for Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar/Harar – and is determined to empower itself with business tools crucial for successful participation in today’s global economy. The excellent reputations for high quality and unique flavor are the result of the hard work of generations of Ethiopian coffee farmers.

When farmers can grow and prosper by not only improving production and quality but also by building up the value of their intellectual property portfolios, then everybody in the coffee industry – including partners in retail and distribution as well as consumers – reap benefits. Moreover, in a case like Ethiopia’s, the importance of doing this cannot be overstated: stronger negotiating power could enable millions of coffee farmers and traders to prosper and invest in the future of these fine coffees.

Getachew Mengistie
Director-General

Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association

With ownership of these coffee brands we have the right to use them in world markets, especially in the developed world. It is logical for us in this business to work together to stabilise the price so that we can avoid the harmful and wide fluctuations and can achieve good constant coffee quality and assured livelihoods for all.

Haile Gebre Hiwot
President

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (USA)

From the beginning of our company more than 25 years ago, we have always focussed on high quality coffee like Ethiopia's. Over the years we have recognised that high quality coffee does not just happen by accident, but because people care about it, and make a constant investment. That is why this initiative to create direct relationships, jointly promote the coffees and help the farmers and their families resonates with our company. We are committed to support Ethiopia to expand this network of licensed distributors.

Rick Peyser
Director of Social Advocacy and Coffee Community Outreach

Said Business School, University of Oxford

The Ethiopian coffee trademarking initiative is a promising and innovative private sector strategy to increase the value of one of Africa's most important exports.

Douglas B. Holt
L'Oreal Professor of Marketing

Arnold & Porter LLP

There is nothing illegal or unlawful about Ethiopia’s programme to obtain Trademarks and license coffee companies. Ethiopia views trademark registrations as important business assets that will better enable it to manage the distribution of its coffees and to establish an effective distribution network.

Bob Winter
Partner

Institute for Brand Equity
(The Institute is advising Ethiopia on how to initiate the process of national branding)

... the fact that [Ethiopia’s] coffee is generally dependent on commodity pricing in the global market makes it even more sensible to try and come up with something special to be distinguished from the rest of the output in the market…The attempt of the Ethiopian coffee industry to trademark its coffee beans is the right thing to do and it is good that at least one of those attempts has succeeded [in the US].

William B Dickman
Director of International Business

Light Years IP

Intellectual property makes up a huge proportion of the total value of world trade, but rich countries and businesses capture most of this. Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, and one of the poorest countries in the world, is trying to assert its rights and capture more value from its product. It should be helped not hindered.

Ron Layton
Founder and CEO