The Turkish ambassador, Namik Tan, has sent a letter to Idaho Gov. Butch Otter letting him know that the Turkish Patent Institute has ruled against letting a Turkish firm trademark the word “IDAHO” for use on its agricultural products; Otter, the Idaho Potato Commission and the Idaho Legislature had strenuously objected to the idea. “The application was rebuffed with in accord with the concerns you have rightfully raised,” the ambassador wrote; you can read the full letter here.

Boise State Public Radio reporter Jessica Robinson reports today that the Turkish company Beta Ziraat has two months to appeal the decision, but now the Idaho Potato Commission has also filed a patent application in Turkey, to trademark the phrase “Famous Idaho Potatoes.” You can read her full report here.