The negotiation between Starbucks and Ethiopia’s attorneys is continuing though at a slower pace. Starbucks is represented by its external lawyers – not by the company’s in house consul. That, in part, explains the reasons for their feet dragging, I think. Not many details are available from either side at the moment. It seems as though confidentiality is one of the preconditions for the negotiation. From the information I was able to gather, however, the outcome of the negotiation might be something different from what has been at the center of the public dispute. The two sides are apparently playing a give-take game. Starbucks is willing to recognize Ethiopia’s common Trade Mark rights but does not want to support its rights to administrative Trademark rights. Meaning, the company would not support Ethiopia’s application at the United States Patent and Trademark Office to register the marks, Harar, Sidamo, and Yirgacheffe. It looks like Ethiopia’s side is prepared to accept that comp...