Australian businesses score sweet trademark victory over New Zealanders with

What you need to know (in a nutshell)

1. Australian manuka honey producers have won a legal dispute over the use of the word “manuka” in export markets against their New Zealand counterparts.
2. This means that Australian producers can now sell their product as “manuka” honey in markets such as the UK and EU.
3. Manuka honey can sell for up to $500 a kilogram and is used in medicinal products due to its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Full Article

Australian manuka honey producers have triumphed over their New Zealand counterparts after the latter withdrew legal action aimed at blocking them from using the term “manuka”.

NZ manuka honey producers have abandoned a trademark dispute in the UK and EU.

Australian producers can now sell their products in markets as “manuka” honey.

Manuka honey sells for an eye-watering $500/kg.

Since 2016, NZ manuka honey producers have been trying to stop Australian counterparts from labelling their exports as “manuka”.

Manuka honey from New Zealand and Australia is worth hundreds of dollars per kilogramme. Its anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory properties make it a popular ingredient in medicinal products.

Manuka honey from Australia is found in lozenges, throat sprays and eczema creams, as well as cosmetics.

The New Zealand Manuka Honey Appellation Society withdrew their appeals to the UK’s High Court and EU, allowing Australian producers to label their honey ‘manuka’ in lucrative markets.

The Intellectual Property Office of the UK previously sided with the Australians.

Both parties await the result of a 2021 hearing with New Zealand’s Intellectual Property Office (IPONZ).