Vietnam working to protect ST24 and ST25 rice trademark in Australia

Nguyen Phu Hoa, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, said T&L Global Foods Supply Pty Ltd has sought to register the “Rice; Best Rice of the World” trademarks for the two varieties.

ST25 rice.

ST24 rice was recognised as the second best rice in the world, while ST25 rice was previously named as the best rice in the world at the World’s Best Rice contests in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Indeed, the two varieties were successfully cross-bred by Vietnamese engineer Ho Quang Cua and his colleagues. 

Due to the application made by the Australian enterprise, the Vietnam Trade Office has moved to swiftly contact engineer Ho Quang Cua for joint co-operation in an attempt to protect the trademarks in Australia.

The office has spoken with Cua about coordinating action and being actively engaged in discussions with leaders of T&L Global Foods Supply, which said it would check the matter with its brand unit.

The agency has also sent documents and photos to IP Australia to clarify that the ST24 and ST25 rice varieties were developed by Cua and a team of Vietnamese scientists, and have been granted patents in Vietnam.

It has asked IP Australia to consider the matter and to avoid possible disputes that could affect ST24 and ST25 rice exports from Vietnam to Australia. At present, the Vietnam Trade Office is working with Australian lawyers as they prepare the next steps in line with IP Australia regulations.