Malaysia Looking To Copyright Food?
from the this-again? dept
Last year, around this time, we noted that the country of Lebanon was trying to claim that it owns hummus and other middle eastern foods, such as falafel, tabouleh and baba gannouj, and that no other country could produce them. It seems that other parts of the world are seeing the same sort of thing, as Malaysia is trying to declare that it owns popular Malaysian dishes, like nasi lemak. It doesn’t seem entirely clear what this means, and the article is a bit vague (the title mentions “copyright,” but the rest of the article does not). Still, it’s certainly yet another sign of the times, when it feels natural to some people to do totally ridiculous things in claiming “ownership” of ideas.
Filed Under: copyright, food, malaysia, nasi lemak
Comments on “Malaysia Looking To Copyright Food?”
At least no one has tried to copyright the idea of having an idea. There seems to be limits to the ridiculousness.
No - wrong tag
The actual problem here seems to be sloppy reporting by guess who?
I don’t think copyright enters into it, although trademark might, like with Champagne or Stilton. Generally I don’t find such things offensive although maybe the Champagne one goes a bit too far since it outlaws “Methode Champenoise” ie you can’t even describe a wine as being made the same way.
In this case though even trademark looks a bit dubious since they aren’t protecting local produce but are trying to reserve a recipe. If a top Malaysian chef travels to New York can he not cook Nasi Lemak?
However, reading the story I don’t think that’s what they’re trying to do. It looks more a cultural advertising offensive to me – combined with a bit of sharp elbowing of their neighbours – a bit like the Greek/Turkish coffee thing.
Re: No - wrong tag
once ideas like “Trademark” go global they make no sense. This is why people need to realize that both patents and trademark in their fullest are not going to fit going forward in our society at all. What happens when 2-3 people around the global come up with something at once as Mike has cited before, what happens if two companies call their products anything remotely related to an apple? etc.
I think it’s very stupid to claim that you own some kind of food.
Re: Re:
Sorry but I make the best Baby Back Ribs. Henceforth, everyone else must pay a licensing fee to me to make them. Also, no one is allowed to make fajitas anymore.
Re: Re: Re:
No problem if what you trademark is “Zaven’s Baby Back Ribs” – but “Baby Back Ribs” is too generic.
(ps Are they made from real babies?)
Re: Re: Re: Re:
yes 😉
Re: Re: Re: Re:
I’m pretty sure I could trademark Zaven’s anything and have it be specific enough. I’ve never even met another Zaven.
European laws..........
There are many such laws in EU. Eg. Whiskey not produced in scotland may not be labeled “scotch”.
Re: European laws..........
Champagne, Roquefort cheese, ……
Re: European laws..........
Actually Whiskey (with the e) is (usually) Irish.
Scotch Whisky doesn’t have an e in it.
I don’t see a problem with regional food trademarking – provided it doesn’t go beyond what is necessary for clarity.
No – one is being prevented from making Whisky – you just can’t call it “Scotch” if it is in fact made in Mumbai.
and by the way – don’t steal the Budweiser name from the Czechs and then try and claim that you own it and they can’t use it!
Re: Re: European laws..........
Around here most whiskey, with or without the damned ‘e’, is from Kentucky. Yeah, Irish and Scotch whisk(e)ys are good, but ‘whiskey’ isn’t always ‘Irish.’ Or good.
Champagne
You mean like Champagne. To be Champagne it has to be produced within the Champagne region of France. Otherwise it is just a sparkling wine.
Through international treaty, national law or quality-control/consumer protection related local regulations, most countries limit the use of the term to only those wines that come from the Champagne appellation.
So why not do this to other foods/beverages? Precedence has already been set.
Re: Champagne
I remember way back in the 80s, the Champagne control board in France sued Canada Dry ginger ale because they called themselves “The champagne of ginger ales” in marketing.
They won.
this thread
I’ve copyrighted this thread. Don’t post on it. I also copyright cats and dogs, so stop selling them, unless you pay me. wah!
What they want is an international AOC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appellation_d%27origine_contr%C3%B4l%C3%A9e
It might not be a bad idea if implemented properly.
Maybe the Brits should claim that “curry” can only be cooked and eaten in the UK w/o a license?
I call dibs on milk!
Copyrighting in maldives
we are going to copyright Garudhiya and Rihaakuru in the Maldives
I copyright empty space, on earth and in space!
Hmm what to choose what to choose
Anyone called dibs on beer yet?
jesus h christ... now it's official
Apparently idiocy TRULY IS a disease, and it’s become a worldwide epidemic. …
Jesus, who the f*** are these morons to even come up with this s***???????
Here is their tourism minister blog:
http://blog.drngyenyen.com/?p=531
She said that “Hainanese Chicken Rice” is Malaysian, while you know, Hainan is part of China. Silly or stupid or both?
Re: Re:
hainan is part of china but hainanese chicken rice is not from china. this is because, when the hainanese people mmigrated to malaysia they needed something to survive on and that is when they created chicken rice which is now famous in malaysia as hainanese chicken rice.
Mexico Has Prior Art!
Their “chili crabs” are cooked in a tomato-chili sauce base. Neither of those ingredients is native to SouthEast Asia. They came from Mexico with the Spanish ships in the 1500s or 1600s.
Mexico has prior art and IP claims on the concept of cooking with chilis, chocolate, vanilla, avocados, tomatoes, turkeys, and corn. Peru has IP claims on cooking with potatoes.
The Solution
Hey, I once lived in Malaysia. Perhaps I can help.
“like nasi lemak. It doesn’t seem entirely clear what this means”
It means rice cooked in cream.
Glad I could be of help. 😉
Re: The Solution
the direct translation to nasi lemak means rice fats. but it is actually rice cooked with coconut cream and served with traditional sambal, fried anchovies, boiled egg and cucumber.
claim food?
before this, malaysia trying to claim batik and pendet dance from indonesia. what a stupid thing? malaysia… what do you want?
Amazing Thai Food!
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