Protecting Indonesia's Coffee Identity: What We Can Learn from William Christiansen and Halu Pink Banana
William Christiansen, the founder of Space Roastery Yogyakarta, talking with Hudes about the crucial role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in safeguarding the identity of coffee beans from distinct regions.
 |
| image: spaceroastery doc. |
A Geographical Indication (GI) serves as a hallmark that a product hails from a specific region, where its quality, reputation, and unique characteristics are intrinsically tied to that locale.
In Indonesia, a prime example is "Kopi Gayo" from Aceh. This coffee has not only gained legal recognition but also received international acknowledgment. In 2010, the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights awarded the Geographical Indication Certificate for Gayo Arabica Coffee, which was subsequently recognized by European Union (EU) countries.
 |
| WILLIAM - image: william doc. |
This milestone was celebrated during the ARISE+ Indonesia Results Dissemination event on May 17, 2023, in Jakarta, where the Ministry of National Development Planning/BAPPENAS met with the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
William contends that private companies holding IPR for trademarks that leverage GI have a stronger incentive to nurture and promote their products. In contrast, if the IPR is managed by the government, its impact might be less effective.
"For instance, in the coffee sector, a private entity with IPR will be more motivated to uphold the quality and reputation of its products, ultimately enhancing their economic value," he said.
 |
| image: william doc. |
He highlights Space Roastery’s registration of "Halu Pink Banana" as a case in point. This trademark grants them exclusive rights to market their coffee under this distinctive name.
It ensures they have a vested interest in preserving the quality and integrity of their product, while also safeguarding the name from misuse. Nonetheless, this does not mean that coffee from the Gunung Halu region in West Java is solely owned by Space Roastery.
"Other companies can still market coffee from the same area under different names, such as Mekarwangi, among others," says William, who is also a Q Grader.
In his opinion, GI protection extends beyond mere economic benefits. It also plays a vital role in preserving the reputation of the product’s origin, building consumer trust, and maintaining traditional knowledge and local biodiversity
However, he also cautions against the risks of IPR for regional coffee names being controlled by Transnational Corporations (TNCs) or Multinational Corporations (MNCs).
If this occurs, financial benefits could flow out of the country, whereas the name rightfully belongs to the local region. He opposes the registration of regional names as IPR by TNCs or MNCs, noting that patent and IPR regulations vary globally.
For example, issues have arisen with a coffee TNC in the United States regarding GI name registration, a practice that might not be permissible in Indonesia.
With proactive efforts from local businesses and robust IPR protection, Indonesia’s exceptional regional products can continue to thrive and gain global recognition while preserving their authentic identity and local significance. ()
Post a Comment