Turk group wants to trademark ‘IDAHO’

BOISE – An ag group in Turkey has applied to the Turkish Patent Institute to trademark the word “IDAHO” for its agricultural, plant and animal products – and the Idaho Potato Commission doesn’t take too kindly to that idea.

Neither did the Idaho Senate, which on Thursday fast-tracked a resolution against the move proposed by the Potato Commission and passed it unanimously.

“If that office grants them that authority to use IDAHO as their trademark, they can both sell and market products both in Turkey and internationally using the Idaho name,” said Sen. Steve Bair, a Republican from Blackfoot who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. “I guess we take exception to that. This is not intended to poke our finger into Turkey’s eye, but they need to understand that we treasure the Idaho name.” If others can use it on their products, he said, “We lose the ability to regulate the quality of Idaho’s products.”

Public comment on the application is accepted by the Turkish Patent Institute through Feb. 12, which is why the Senate resolution is being rushed through. “We need to get it done so the governor can get a letter drafted,” Bair said.

The Potato Commission already has hired a Turkish attorney and she’s provided advice on how to proceed.

Bair, a retired potato farmer, said, “I really feel bad, because … I think we have a great relationship with Turkey. We do a bit of trade with them. This is not intended to damage that.” But, he said, “We need to protect our intellectual property. If anybody on the face of the Earth has done a good job with trademarks, it’s the Potato Commission with ‘Famous Potatoes.’ ”

The resolution urges the governor to “review the matter and take all necessary steps to oppose the application.” It also directs that a copy of the resolution be distributed in Turkey and to Idaho’s congressional delegation.