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DTI to oppose French attempt to trademark rooibos

22nd February 2013

By: Natalie Greve

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

  

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, raised an objection with the French Embassy in South Africa and the European Commission delegation in Pretoria, against a French firm’s attempt to trademark ‘Rooibos’ in France.

Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of a unique shrub, indigenous only to South Africa, and several rooibos products in South Africa were already protected by South Africa’s domestic trademark legislation.

The registration of such a trademark in France could have a significant impact on South Africa’s exports of rooibos products to France and elsewhere, the DTI warned.

The department said in a statement on Friday that it was cooperating with the local rooibos industry to ensure that South Africa’s trade interests were not unfairly compromised.

Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies added that, while the DTI stood ready to defend South Africa’s trade and intellectual property interests, the matter would require an urgent assessment of the legal options to strengthen protection of the rooibos brand in South Africa.

“This is not the first time a foreign firm has attempted to capture the intellectual property associated with rooibos. The DTI will support the local industry to protect our mutual trade and economic interests,” said Davies.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

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