[image from abc. For those new to the Ethiopia coffee trademark issue, start here]

The Ethiopian government and Starbucks put out a joint release yesterday, announcing that they “agreed in principle to sign a licensing, distribution and marketing agreement that recognizes the importance and integrity of Ethiopia’s specialty coffee names.”

“Agreed in principle” sounds rather vague, but appears to be a significant change of heart on Starbucks’ part. Oxfam, which has been advising and backing Ethiopia on this trademark issue, says it’s optimistic. Once the agreement’s actually signed later this month, more details’ll come out –

Starbucks first opposed trademarking and fought hard against it. Earlier this year, Starbucks announced it no longer opposes trademarking (though it’s still not for it).

Now it seems Starbucks is more or less for it.

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