Our Projects
Light Years IP is demonstrating how IP tools can help poor countries capture intangible value of their products to increase and secure export income.
Learn more about Light Years IP and our Poverty Alleviating IP Solutions (PAIPS) approach to economic development.
Ethiopia: Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Project
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. Coffee makes up more than 60% of all Ethiopian exports and directly supports the livelihoods of millions of Ethiopians working in the coffee sector. The global over-supply of commodity coffee over the last decade has led to a sharp decline in Ethiopia's coffee export income. Reduced coffee income is severely affecting the lives of coffee farmers in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian coffee income should – and can – be higher. In addition to commodity coffee, Ethiopia produces very high quality coffees. Ethiopia's finest coffees, particularly, Harar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe, are considered to be among the world's best. Each sells at a premium over commodity coffees in world markets and draws high retail prices.
Read more about this project.
