We usually do not get involved in controversial issues however we want you to know about a Trademark situation that is going on with a company, Shire City Herbals, who has Trademarked an herbal formula called Fire Cider that was originally taught and shared by Rosemary Gladstar over 35 years ago to her students and to anyone who read her books. This formula has been passed around and sold by herbalists or made by people just like you and I since then. Shire City Herbals has decided that they can (and did) trademark this name creating a situation where it cannot be sold by anyone else. Please consider reading and then signing a petition to have their trademark revoked as this is like someone trademarking “Elderberry Syrup”. https://change.org/petitions/united-states-patent-and-trademark-office-revoke-fire-cider-trademark Also the herbal community is asking that everyone consider boycotting Shire City Herbals’ Fire Cider as they refuse to reconsider. Also, here is Rosemary Gladstars response to the trademarking of Fire Cider. Dear Friends, I just found out about this situation a few days ago and, of course, was surprised and extremely disappointed that someone would think they had the right to trademark a name and product thats been in public use for over 3 decades. I had written to the gentleman directly, hoping to be able to persuade him that this wasnt his name to trademark as I didnt want it to go public without giving him the opportunity to rescind his trademark. Unfortunately, he seems pretty set in his right to own the name even though I first made fire cider and gave it its name over 35 years ago. In the meantime Ive taught hundreds if not thousands of people to make it, who have them taught others…this product is clearly a peoples medicine and isnt to be owned. Of course, as with most herbal products, its based on old formulas, so its even pretentious for me to say I made it up. My grandmother used herbs, vinegar and honey and she probably learned from her grandmother. We all learn from one another….. My guess is that this man or his sister (I think its actually his sister or sister in law who makes the product) learned how to make it from someone who read the directions in my book or from one of my classes, or, perhaps, one of my students. They thought it was a great recipe, which it is, and decided to make it for others, as so many others have done, and have been doing for centuries. Thats the beauty of herbs, learning and passing the information on. Like so many others, he, too, decided to make it and sell it. All great, but then to lay claim to something thats clearly not his to lay claim, is wrong. And to then tell others they cant use the name anymore!! What am I suppose to do, remove it from all of my literature, copyrighted books, class handouts and correspondence course?! Personally, I dont think that a good response is necessarily anger, but rather a clear message that this isnt to be tolerated in the herbal community. That we as a community are here to teach, educate, heal, and share information, recipes, and ideas. Furthermore, with something like Fire Cider thats been in use for so long, and a product whose name is already well known and circulated in the world, he nor anyone else has the right or privilege to take ownership of it. He can certainly make the product and even call it Fire Cider, but if he wants to trademark it, he needs to make up his own name, and, ideally, a product thats uniquely his own. If we allow Fire Cider to be trademarked, then it sets a precedent. Next well see Rosemarys Famous Face cream copy righted or Klosss lineament, Kava Chai, Chaga Chai, etc etc. Its one thing when you make a totally unique product and give it a name thats not been used before. But this clearly isnt the case in this situation. He may have brought the trademark and thinks he owns the formula and name, but hes doing it at a great cost to himself, and his company. I spend hardly any time on the internet or Facebook so am behind the times in what information is being passed along in cyber space. But please do feel free to post this response. What I would suggest is for people to actively respond to this person with a kind but clear and straightforward that this isnt going to be tolerated. He needs to rename his product. Fire Cider was around long before he ever starting making and using it and that unless he rescinds on the trademark, we will spread the word like wildfire. He may end up owning the name but he wont have a very popular or successful business. We also needed to cc Etsy on all correspondence, as they too, need to understand the situation. Thank you again for contacting me. With you in herbal ways, Rosemary Gladstar Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center PO Box 420 East Barre, VT 05649 (802)479-9825
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:01:58 +0000
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