Poor Farmer

Light Years IP’s blog, which is dedicated for the Ethiopian Coffee Initiative Training in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, says that more than forty people are attending the training. The posting, “The possible and the feasible,” is full of optimism and excitement: “While managing coffee brands is common enough in the developed world, this is just unprecedented here in Ethiopia. And participants from coops, private exporters and relevant government institutions came with sacks of questions and deep expectations for the week ahead.” I am impressed with the questions raised by the participants: “They asked: As our trademarks are now secured [note: Ethiopia has now secured TMs in 28 key export markets] what are the current marketing plans and what are the next steps? How long will it take to see results? What are other developing countries’ experiences and what can we learn from them? What is the best way to convince our buyers of the benefits trademarks and licensing will bring? Can we really beg...

CSR wire April 17, 2007 ADDIS ABEBA April 17, 2007 - Leaders and representatives of Ethiopian Fine Coffee Sector, farmers cooperative unions and exporters as well as representatives of relevant government bodies are gathering in Addis Ababa to be trained in trademarking and licensing management. This will further strengthen the innovative new coffee partnership with international specialty coffee buyers and distributors. At a four-day training course this week, a wide range of stakeholders in the Ethiopian coffee sector will gain know-how in trademarks, licensing and negotiation. "This is a pivotal event in the long history of Ethiopian coffee production and export. While using trademarks and licensing agreements is a common enough affair in many international industries and global distribution chains, it is surprisingly, almost unprecedented in coffee. We need to be prepared and confident in the full knowledge of our rights, our powers, and our options as we approach our buyers o...

It’s a quiet time for Starbucks, at least in its fight with Ethiopia. The two sides are holding their second meeting this week. The Ethiopian Ambassador for Washington, Samuel Assefa and Howard Schultz met on April 3, 2007 in Seattle. No detail has ever been released from either side. While the multinational giant, aided by the lobbying group founded by Rosa Whitaker, is enjoying the relative calm, the Ethiopian Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Initiative training is underway in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia. The training for key stakeholders of Ethiopian fine coffees including exporters, cooperative managers, farmers and management of the Ethiopian Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Initiative is lead by Light Years IP ( LYIP ). Training the Licensing Team, as referred to by LYIP , began today, April 17, 2007 in the capital city of Ethiopia and expected to run through the week. LYIP advertises this program as a monumental achievement in the early phase of the project. The organization h...