Melbourne's coffee culture has sparked a debate on intellectual property and ownership in the industry. The Tiger Bomb, a signature coffee creation by Melbourne cafe owner Caleb "Tiger" Cha, has gained popularity in Indonesia, leading to concerns about imitation and brand protection. Cha, a former World Latte Art Champion, created the Tiger Bomb in 2023 and named it after the Korean word for tiger, which sounds similar to 'bomb'. The drink's success led to its spread to Indonesia, where it has inspired variations and sparked discussions about legal protection.
The article explores the challenges of protecting a beverage as intellectual property. While Cha is considering legal action to safeguard his creation, experts suggest that protecting a recipe is difficult and often not worth the effort. Sarah Hook, an intellectual property law expert, explains that recipes cannot be patented unless they are "inventive" and that trademarking a product name is possible but requires novelty and registration. The article also highlights the positive impact of Indonesian coffee shops' adaptations of Australian coffee culture, with cafe owners like Ridwan Heisel and Farchan Noor Rachman respecting the creators' work by giving their variations unique names.
The Mont Blanc, another Melbourne-inspired coffee, has also gained popularity internationally. Good Measure co-founder Brandon Jo is open to people recreating the drink but prefers a twist on the original. He emphasizes the importance of inspiration and creativity in the industry, rather than legal possession. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation and cultural exchange in the coffee world.
