Starbucks, Ethiopia reach trademark deal
ABCmoney.co.uk, UK - June 20, 2007
Starbucks Corp. and the Ethiopian government said Wednesday they will work together to promote three of the African nation's prized specialty coffees under a deal that supports the country's bid to win trademarks it believes will benefit farmers.
The world's largest coffeehouse chain and Ethiopia's intellectual property office said their licensing, distribution and marketing agreement acknowledges the country's ownership of three coffee names -- Yirgacheffe, Harar and Sidamo -- regardless of whether they are trademarked.
The deal will not reap Ethiopia any royalty payments, officials said ...