In Germany, no one received a patent for kumis or mare’s milk - Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan

He noted that many people in Kazakh society are interested in the traditional drink – kumiss.

“In various media, some complain that kumiss is patented in Germany. In this regard, I would like to note that in Germany no one received a patent for kumiss or mare’s milk. Yes, indeed, there are patents in Germany, but not for kumys itself, but on the methods of its manufacture. For example, from dry powder, from a capsule or a bracketed form,” commented Talgat Uali

According to him, in Kazakhstan, national applicants have been issued patents for tableted kumiss, as well as for dried mare’s milk, that is, for production methods, and not for kumiss itself.

“Applications can be submitted for similar methods of making kazy, leather, kurtas and so on,” said Talgat Uali.

For example, as the press secretary of the Ministry of Justice said, there are patents on methods for obtaining leaven for making kumis.

“We have patented various devices for producing kumiss. If earlier our grandmothers made kumiss by hand, beating it, now various convenient devices for producing kumiss have been invented. Thus, our national applicants also patent the latest technologies regarding traditional products. These include shubat, kurt, kazy, beshbarmak dough and so on,” said Talgat Uali.

He believes that a patent is unlikely to be issued for traditional methods of making kumis, since there will be no criterion such as novelty or inventive step.