A decision by the Intellectual Property Office to allow the words 'Welsh cake', 'cariad' and 'hiraeth' to be trademarked has been described as "astonishing". The terms have been registered by a candlemaker called Fizzy Foam Ltd in Bridgend, which owns the Handmade Welsh Candle brand.
The company has trademarked words such as 'cariad', which means 'love' in Welsh, and 'hiraeth' which means 'longing for home'. The decision means that other businesses with similar products are prevented from using the same terms and has angered another candlemakers.
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast with guest presenter Colette Hume, Amanda James of Gweni candle-making business in Bridgend, who had the word 'cariad' on her candle range, described the decision as "completely ridiculous". She said: "I'm in contact with a number of fellow candle-making businesses and I know that two are looking to put revocation applications on these terms. I will more than likely do the same because I also have a range that uses the term 'cariad' and according to this trademark that Fizzy Foam has, according to them I won't be able to use it. So I will always apply for a revocation with that particular term.
