Starbucks appeared to reverse its opposition to Ethiopia’s plans to trademark high-grade types of coffee on Thursday, agreeing in principle to sign a licensing, distribution and marketing agreement with the country where coffee was discovered.

The agreement, which could be sealed this month, would recognise “the importance and integrity of Ethiopia’s speciality names” – Harar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe – Starbucks said in a joint statement with the Ethiopian intellectual property office after two days of talks.