A sticky situation

A sticky legal tale from the land of kiwis. New Zealand's beekeepers have lost their fight to trademark the name “mānuka honey”, dealing a blow to their quest for exclusivity.

Mānuka honey is made by bees that can't resist the alluring white flowers of the mānuka tree (known as the "tea tree" in Australia). It's famous for its antibacterial properties and health benefits, fetching sky-high prices on the global market. We're talking jars that could cost you a small fortune.

New Zealand claims mānuka honey as their indigenous treasure, but Australia has been buzzing around, using the name as well. After a long battle, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand ruled against registration, stating that the term is descriptive.

The honey war rages on, with New Zealand determined to protect what they believe is rightfully theirs. Meanwhile, Australia sees the ruling as a win and plans to expand international sales. Who will reign supreme in this sweet battle? Time will tell.