OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Is the Rollergirls' logo a bit too similar to Starbucks' logo?

Starbucks has asked the Rat City Rollergirls of Seattle to change their logo (at left). Their attorney says: "The issue is with the shape of the logo, including what they're calling concentric circles. They're saying that the dimensions of the circles are too close to their own. ... I mean, come on, circles and portraits? Big deal. Starbucks didn't invent that." Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related in the holiday weekend OPEN THREAD. (Read the Seattle Post-Intelligencer story)

Comments

[Soi]

so they invented circles?

lol

[hola caramel]

SBUX: get off of it! You didn't create the portrait inside the circle! So ridiculous!

[waltie]

The two logos are actually really similar. The circles are pretty much the same shape, and the text and stars look pretty much the same as well. I don't think Starbucks has much of a case since they won't be able to prove that this harms their business in anyway... but still. It's a fine line.

[sbux interenet]

at&t internet @sbux stores:

how will partners get access?

[jon]

Starbucks is required to defend its trademark. Otherwise, there'd be a bunch of other organizations that could just adopt the circle with the font inside and devalue it. I don't think the rollergirls were explicitly trying to copy Starbucks, but I see enough similarity there for it to be a legitimate claim.

[jon]

On second thought, maybe they should make Howard Schultz and the rest of the management team slap on some skates and fight it out in the rink.

[APPL]

Partners get free internet by going to starbucks.com/partners and registering for it.

[question]

What's the deal with customers with reg cards getting free internet? How can you even log on? I cannot find it anywhere when you log on in a store.

[Bladerunner]

Have to keep the lawyers busy...hey hows the lawsuit over tips going?

[Seven]

the registered card people aren't getting free internet until June.

[bobbykins]

What is the deal with starbuckscoffeeathome.com? I tried the find my perfect coffee feature 4 different times with 4 differing sets of answers, and every time it gave me Caffe Verona. The 5th time, it gave me Daily Horizons Blend. What the hell is that? Where is that coffee even available? So I tried it a 6th time, choosing another aroma and using the exact opposite answers from my previous try for the other 4 questions. Guess what? Daily Horizons Blend again! I even used darkest roast and complex flavors as my answers! (the description for Daily Horizons says it's the mildest blend) Pure crap!

[Anthony]

Perhaps Starbucks ought to be careful or Church and Dwight might come after them...Starbucks Logo looks suspiciously like the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda logo which pre-dates Starbucks by a few decades.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Armhammer.gif

[secretsquare]

Waltie,

"the circles are pretty much the same shape"

Yes, that's true. They usually are.

[Preston]

I don't really care about the circles too much, even though they are exactly the same... it's the two stars... which seem to be unnecessary and almost just purposely trying to be like the starbucks logo... why the two stars?

[Anon]

doesn't starbucks have more to worry about than a roller derby's lame logo??

[Sarah]

OH! So THAT'S why I got a funny look from that roller girl when I went up to her and asked for a double tall cappucino. I WASN'T at Starbucks! /snark.

On a different note, thanks to the totally rockin' baristas (there were 2 of you) working at Dundee and Skokie Blvd. this morning. I was just going to ask for a .54 cent refill of iced drip, but you had remembered that a few hours earlier you'd made me a decaf americano and you gave me a refill of THAT instead. You guys rock.

[StLouieDrip]

Jon: On second thought, maybe they should make Howard Schultz and the rest of the management team slap on some skates and fight it out in the rink.

Haha, that's funny... especially because... "Starbucks is tough. But the Rollergirls are known for being tough, too..."

Hmm, as for the logos, I think that Rollergirl could easily kick that Siren's butt. :P

Here's another "round" logo, and this time it's COFFEE...
http://www.justaddcoffee.com/

[BaristaB]

starbucks.com/partners doesn't bring up anything... it's not a link. Any other ideas for the partner free wi-fi?

[BAYAREABUX]

Re: tips lawsuit... there was supposed to have been another hearing May 1 per the initial reporting but no news stories generated regarding it... pushed back pending Starbucks' appeal? And did the court ever stay the ruling, because SBUX is advising us to completely disregard it as supervisors are still tipping out.

[J]

I was in a Starbucks yesterday in Saskatoon, Sask., and they had donuts in the display case. I've never seen a donut at an SB before or heard of it happening ... so what's up with that? Sorry if this has been discussed to death on here - I've missed the posts if it has been.

[Meag]

J: anyway my laptop is messed up so sorry if Ive posted this twice- the doughnuts are from a company that originated in seattle as well? called Top Pot- and theyve probably just wanted both businesses to broaden and make more money as well as a bigger name- anywho

[J]

Thanks! Maybe they just haven't moved them out as East as Ontario yet. I didn't order one, mind you, but was intrigued.

[Posted By:]

Looking at the Rollergirls' logo and "Just add coffee" logo compared to Starbucks' logo, you have to admit both are a bit of ripoff of Starbucks' logo. All three feature a thin-thick-thin pattern of circles, a "mascot" in the middle, and two small symbols that separate words of the name of the company in a similar place.

You can bash Starbucks for going after other companies or groups that copy major elements of their logo, but if they didn't go after everyone, even more groups would try to copy Starbucks' logo. I was watching "Coming to America" today, and things like this remind me of the McDonald's/McDowell's scene in the movie. Ha!

[A Seattle Customer]

Unbelievable. Rat City Roller Girls is a popular Seattle institution and a nationally ranked team. Sbux lawyers' really need to lighten up and get some perspective....and Sbux Community Relations better recognize this and get involved before this whole things blows up in their face. Seems like just another indication that the Company has lost its heart and only cares about its bottom line. I wonder how cordial Sbux would have been if the reporter didn't finally get involved?

I've seen the teams skate - they are awesome athletes. C'mon Sbux, get behind these ladies and support their efforts. Show that you still care about something other than stadium sports too.

[Darth Skater]

The Rat City Rollergirls are absolutely trying to work this out with Starbucks. The logo is or never was fashioned to look similar to the Siren logo that Starbucks uses. It's a coincidence and again we are working on a resolution that would be amicable to both organizations. Logos are a very important part of any brand and we repsect their right to defend it.

And yes, I realize that does sound like a corporate speaking point, but it's the truth. And if you don't believe me, I could meet you in the rink.... :) Cheers ~ Darth Skater

[B&N Barista]

From what I can remember about trademark law, you have to defend your trademark every time or else your registration can be revoked. Yes..No? It forces companies to be extremely petty. I don't see why they can't go through the motions of challenging the rollergirls, but then relent with a special agreement that would protect them both. That would be the most human thing to do in my opinion.

[All About the Bean]

What!?

Are you serious?

Who cares that OMG! that logo looks like Starbucks logo?

So they have circles and stars?

Maybe they were inspired or hey maybe even "powered by Starbucks" to keep on Rollin' with their hardcore selves!

I say lets have some Starbucks Baristas join the team, then what will Howard have to say?

[Pat Nerr]

I hope this is a joke. I mean considering the logo is for a business unrelated to Starbucks... If it's not a joke then they've reached a new low in "defending the brand"...

I know some RC Roller Girls and Starbucks/The Siren is no RC Roller Girl.

[PortlandCustomer]

Heya Starbucks partners,

Maybe you could help me out with a question I have. Yesterday I was at the Starbucks at Clackamas Town Center (a mall in Portland Oregon) and I ordered an Americano. Anyways the Barista at the counter asked for my ID; presumably because I was paying with my debit card. I said "No". She then asked if I didnt have it. I said I did but that I wasnt buying an Esspresso machine I was buying a coffee and why did she need my ID. She said it was store policy. The reason I am bringing this up is because I've been to hundreds of Starbucks and never once has a Barista required an ID when purchasing a cup of coffee. This is actually the third time I've been to this Starbucks and this is their policy which she indicates is supported by the corperate offices because its a mall location. Is this possibly true?

[M]

Why is classic syrup supposed to have a black pump? Anyone know?

[Sho Nuff]

Our store had donuts before...Sour Cream and Pumpkin Spice.

But the Top Pot donuts are AMAZING...and making all of us fat!

[B&N Barista]

I may have been wrong about Starbucks defending their logo. Here is a link to Harvard's law school explaining trademark law in a nutshell. It sounds like Starbucks is waaay overreacting after you read how trademark infringement is determined. Howard should fire that firm of lawyers for wasting Starbucks money on frivolous lawsuits. Think of all the good the (probably) hundreds of thousand of dollars spent trying to crush the RC Roller Girls could do if it were re-directed to operations.

[B&N Barista]

ooops forgot the link
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm

[A Seattle Customer]

Darth - you sound really genuine not corporate. I only hope given your willingness to find amicable solutions - and Starbucks seeing all the positive they could gain from this - that everything works out for everyone involved. As RCRG are not in the coffee business, I can't see where their trademark would "dilute or harm" Starbucks.

[Whatev]

I'm sure they intentionally made the logo similar. The starbucks logo is instantly associated with Seattle, so the Rat Girls wanted to play off that. It's sort of a spoof, which is protected under fair use laws, I think. Imagine if the federal government sued every graphic artist who twisted the images on dollar bills.

[Anthony]

I still think Starbucks ripped of the Arm & Hammer logo....:-)

[foxy]

J-

We do have donuts in Ontario, what city do you live in?

Because all stores here should have started carrying them in Mar/Apr.

[anybody]

RE: partner internet accounts
go to the starbucks website, and use the partner link in the lower right hand corner of the page. youll have to go through a login process...

[Pat Nerr]

My Rat City Roller Girl friends are sponsored by Caffe Vita... perhaps that's the driving factor for such a stupid cease and desist.

Reminds me of the time Starbucks sued the priests on Bainbridge Island for their use of Starbucks /"invention" of Christmas Blend ... Since Starbucks invented Jeebus and all...

[seventysix [76]]

Since this is an open thread I hope you won't mind if I go a bit off this line of conversation.

I'm starting back at Starbucks full-time again in June after a long period of absence (school). I am very excited to sling some lattes and create something legendary yet again.

[J]

@ Foxy - Ottawa. Nary a Starbucks donut in site. Or maybe my two locals are bad.

[jughood]

ok yeah that is ridiculous. ugh, cmon starbucks, relax.

also, i love the new starbucks doubleshot over ice, you get so much more for your money than the canned version. it says its just a summer drink thouh, does anyone know if ill be able to still get it once the summer ends and its off the menu?

[jacob]

Yeah, I would probably ring it in as an iced americano add classic...works for the tall and grande sizes, but you'll have to add a shot for the venti. anybody who worked the promotion will be able to make it correctly (just ask).

[Fattie]

has listing the calories for all items in the pastry case hurt sales in NYC?

[Barista 8334]

Less than 3 buildings down from starbucks 5663 is a coffee shop called Spica Coffee look at the logo in the back of the room

http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/0h6_Vf-Vp8cf8AB9t3LUBQ/

much more similar than rat city spica is almost identical in format and the female

[jon]

Wow Barista 8334 you're right, there are a LOT of similarities with that logo.

[someone]

Instead of worrying about frivolous law suits, why dosen't Howard look at investing some money in labor in the stores. I mean, really two people on the floor for hours and you wonder why the stores don't look as clean as they should.

[JF]

Nope! =^)

[foxy]

@ J

well, i'm in Kingston, and we definitely do have them here, and as far as i was aware so should Ottawa. That's still my area, tho not my district. I'll check with my DM tomorrow and see.
So next time you're in Kingston, stop on by any of our stores and get one. They're REALLY good warmed up!

[cloud]

@Someone:

Every time I go into a store here, there's at least three people working, and if it's in the AM, that can go up to as many as six or seven.

And these aren't big stores, either. Plus, it's not at peak times.

Makes me wonder what manager isn't doing their job right...