Intellectual Property (IP) Australia has refused the registration of Vietnamese rice brands ST24 and ST25 from a local company and changed the trademark registration status to "Lapsed/Not Protected".

Ho Quang Cua, developer of the ST24 and ST25 rice varieties. File photo

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) informed the finding while referring to the case of an Australian company that registered trademarks ST24 and ST25 without being the owner.  

According to the MoIT, the Australian agency also gave the trademark rights of three brands of the ST24 and ST25 rice varieties to Ho Quang Tri Private Company, the developer, with a validity period from June 7, 2021, to June 7, 2031, and an option to extend for an additional ten years.

Last April, Australian company T&L Global Foods Supply registered the trademark rights for the two brands of rice varieties in Australia despite having no agreement with Ho Quang Tri Private Enterprise.

To protect these brands in this market, Vietnam Trade Office in Australia sent documents to IP Australia to claim trademark rights for its legitimate Vietnamese owner, making clear that ST24 and ST25 are generic plant varieties developed by Vietnamese citizen Ho Quang Cua along with a local group of scientists, and these two have been patented in Vietnam.

ST25 rice, a type of Vietnam’s fragrant rice that won the title of the best rice in the world in 2019, is currently sold widely in international markets, including Australia. Given the current situation, Vietnam Trade Office in Australia asked IP Australia to review the case thoroughly to avoid unnecessary legal disputes and cause negative impacts on the exports of ST24 and ST25 rice from Vietnam to Australia.

Following this case, the Vietnam Trade Agency noted the successful protection of the Vietnamese rice brand in Australia is also an opportunity to promote its ongoing program titled “Vietnam – Land of World’s Best Rice” in Australia.

The MoIT suggested IP Australia’s decision, in this case, is thanks to the joint efforts of many parties involved, including the media, Vietnamese Government agencies, and their Australian peers in protecting the Vietnamese brands of ST24 and ST25 rice.