UK Deli Owner Drops Trademark Dispute Over Common Persian Culinary Term “Sabzi”
A Cornish deli owner has withdrawn a legal complaint challenging the use of the word “sabzi” in the title of a cookbook, signaling a victory for common-sense application of trademark law and avoiding a potentially damaging public relations battle. The dispute, which arose just weeks ago, pitted Kate Attlee, founder of the Sabzi deli, against Bloomsbury Publishing, publisher of Yasmin Khan’s Sabzi: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes.
Attlee initially threatened legal action, arguing that the cookbook title infringed upon her trademark for “Sabzi.” However, the core of the issue rested on the fact that “sabzi” is not a novel invention, but rather a widely used Persian word referring to herbs or vegetables. As one commenter previously pointed out, the term carries even more nuanced meaning in its original linguistic context.
The situation, according to analysts, mirrored previous attempts to trademark generic food terms. “This is akin to trying to trademark words like ‘pho’ or ‘pretzel crisps’,” one legal observer noted. “Categories of entire common food types should probably not be trademarkable by themselves.” The observer further emphasized that even if a trademark is secured, aggressively enforcing it against common usage is often counterproductive.
Bloomsbury Publishing released a statement following Attlee’s withdrawal, stating, “We are pleased that Kate Attlee has done the right thing and withdrawn her complaint. It has been our position from the outset that the use of the descriptive term Sabzi as the title of Ms Khan’s cookbook does not constitute trademark use and does not infringe any IP (intellectual property) rights. We wish Kate Attlee continued success with her deli business.”
The tone of the statement suggests a decisive outcome for Bloomsbury, reading as an “unconditional surrender” rather than a negotiated settlement. This outcome underscores the risks associated with pursuing overly broad trademark claims.
Ultimately, Attlee’s decision to drop the dispute serves as a cautionary tale. Engaging in overprotectionist legal battles over generic terms often yields little benefit and can generate negative publicity. The lesson is clear: it’s best to avoid threatening legal action over fairly descriptive and commonly used terms.
Filed Under: kate attlee, sabzi, trademark, yasmin khan
Companies: bloomsbury publishing
