Officials bar Buddha from restaurant name

A Denmark couple say they are shocked at a "ludicrous" government department's rejection of a bid to register their restaurant name - the Healthy Buddha Bar - on the grounds it could be offensive.

The restaurant, which focuses on local produce and sustainable practices, was the realisation of a long-held dream for owners Steven Potts and Jo Botting and has been doing solid trade since opening on March 14. Then, last month, they received a letter from the Department of Commerce rejecting their application to register the name.

"We are shocked and mortified because we've spent thousands of dollars setting it up and now we can't register the name," Mr Potts said. "The name is about peace and harmony and enlightenment. We have books about Buddha and quotes from the Dalai Lama around the restaurant.

"There's nothing negative or offensive about the place."

Mr Potts, who has been a caterer for 25 years, said the couple checked the name was available online and applied to register it, before moving quickly to set up the restaurant.

"When we've called (the department) they said there is nothing they can do, that's the law," he said. "We've got signage, cards, postcards and T-shirts made for our staff to wear and now it's against the law.

"We will keep trading until someone comes and tells us we can't. We're hoping they won't enforce it because we're not going to change it. It's crazy."

A department spokesman said the name was rejected because the combination of the words "Buddha" and "bar" was potentially offensive to Buddhists, who eschew alcohol. Buddha Bar, in Subiaco, was also rejected initially but the decision was overturned on appeal. Business owners who have their trading name rejected can appeal to the Commerce Minister or the courts. The Buddhist Council of WA and the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils could not be contacted yesterday.

Amanda Battley said her Buddha Soul fashion label also faced hurdles in WA before being registered 18 months ago.

"I tried to register Buddha Baby but they rejected it on the grounds it was offensive to the Buddhist religion," she said.

While not a Buddhist, Ms Battley said she loved the beliefs and her Bali-based clothing line and organic restaurant were based on cultivating peace and harmony.