ABA Artisan Baker Association Trademark

Current ABA Trademark Status, November 2008

On 19 May 2008, BMIAA wrote a letter to ABA saying that they had agreed to "withdraw its [trademark] application for the use of 'ABA'.

That is very good news!

We are now waiting on a formal notice from the trademarks office (IP Australia) to rule on ABA's opposition to BMIAA using "ABA".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABA Ambushed! (Dec 2007/Jan 2008)

Part of ABA's role is to provide bread eaters and industry with a clearer way of identifying bakers that are genuine about making high quality artisan goods.

"ABA" is a mark that is part of most Artisan Baker Association activities, including ABA Memberships and ABA Accredited Bakeries.

Imagine the shock when we discovered that a group of mainstream bakery associations had gathered together (under BMIAA) and applied to register "ABA" as a component of their trademark.

They call themselves the "Australian Baking Associations". Well they certainly do not represent the ABA. So it was completely bizarre when they decided to conduct a "Launch of ABA"!

See references to "ABA" in Leading Edge Journal below

A mere oversight? Well, very unlikely considering the level of industry awareness regarding our association. For the record, ABA do not endorse the BMIAA or the "Australian Baking Associations".

It is offensive that one group can promote themselves as representing the baking associatons of Australia.

Look closely at one of the references to "ABA" in Leading Edge Journal; at the bottom of the page in small print, Leading Edge make the claim "Leading Edge is proud to be the Official Bakery Media Publication for the ABA".

Talk about ambush marketing! The ABA does not endorse Leading Edge and they are well aware of this fact.

Ahh, I should have listened to one of our best known forum members back in the early days, who said simply "Stay well clear of them".

Graham

Record of Correspondence

Dec 2007 / Jan 2008	Leading Edge Story - Click on the "LE Library" link and go to Issue No. 62, JAN07/DEC08, pages 54-55 Leading Edge Cover - Click on the "LE Library" link and go to Issue No. 62, JAN07/DEC08, pages FC Leading Edge ASB - Click on the "LE Library" link and go to Issue No. 62, JAN07/DEC08, pages 6-7
21 December 2007 - password protected	Notification of Trademark 1 Notification of Trademark 2 Notification of Trademark 3 - Leading Edge Journal and BMIAA have been notified to stop infringing ABA's trademark.
27 December 2007 - password protected	Notification of Trademark 4
19 May 2008 - password protected	BMIAA Notify ABA - Baking Manufacturers' Industry Association of Australia notify ABA that BMIAA intend to withdraw their application for use of "ABA". We are now waiting on a notice from the trademarks office (IP Australia) to rule on ABA's opposition to BMIAA using "ABA".

ABA Services