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Deli Drops 'Sabzi' Trademark After Public Backlash

12/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In the United Kingdom, a Cornish deli owner trademarked 'sabzi' and faced action from Yasmin Khan, a cookbook author of Pakistani and Iranian heritage.
Legal advice said the claims were overreaching, noting that common cultural words should be exempt from trademark laws.
Public support from prominent food writers helped shift the narrative, and the deli dropped the case.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Supreme Court's 1996 ruling in *Matal v. Tam* established that trademarking common cultural terms violates free speech rights. This case resonates with Yasmin Khan's recent opposition to the trademarking of 'sabzi,' a term integral to South Asian cuisine. The public support for Khan reflects ongoing debates about balancing commercial interests with cultural heritage in trademark law.

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Story summary

In the United Kingdom, a Cornish deli owner trademarked 'sabzi' and faced action from Yasmin Khan, a cookbook author of Pakistani and Iranian heritage.
Legal advice said the claims were overreaching, noting that common cultural words should be exempt from trademark laws.
Public support from prominent food writers helped shift the narrative, and the deli dropped the case.

1 / 2