Coffee shop owner says copying Starbucks sign was "an innocent mistake"

Someone reported the sign to Starbucks after walking into Boulders Coffee Lounge, thinking it was part of the Seattle-based chain. A Starbucks spokeswoman says: "We have asked the coffee shop to change its logo to make it clear that it is not a Starbucks to avoid this situation happening again." The Boulders owner says he's complied, which should have. || Read "Starbucks tells village shop to remove lookalike sign"

Comments

[Hipsterdufus]

innocent mistake my ass.

[LEGENDARY OR BUST]

Didn't this happen already like a million times? I remember reading about something similar on this blog like 3 years ago..

[Jeff B]

Innocent won't win a lawsuit. Good luck to them hope they have a few mil.

[jake]

Not rare.

http://drowsypoetcoffee.com/

[Aaron]

I doubt the resemblance is unintentional, but at the same time, the sign is pretty clear that it's not a Starbucks, what with it saying "BOULDER COFFEE" in big bold letters...

[boggart]

http://seattletrademarklawyer.com/storage/Jesus%20Starbucks%20Logo2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1190570879046

I see this annoying t-shirt every once in a while which is another logo rip off.

[TiredofThis]

He was definitely trying to profit off of Starbucks' brand. I doubt we will sue since he complied with the request to change the logo.

[Melody]

@Legendary or bust - I think there was a highly publicized trademark infringement cases from a few year ago. A woman in Oregon, named Samantha, started a little coffee place called "SamBucks". It ended up being highly litigated because she thought that she could use that name. Her maiden name WAS Buck and so Samantha Buck called her coffee place SamBucks. Starbucks ended up the winner.

Starbucks seems to like going after trademark infringement cases - I guess they have to because it's the only way to protect their trademark. In the end, this news piece above (Boulder's Coffee) is likely no big deal. He complied with taking down the sign, so that ends the story.

[Georgia Latte]

Yeah, anyone that thinks it was completely innocent... I have some land I want to sell you....

[Jazz]

@ boggart

as a religious studies major I totally want that tshirt hahaha

[ABDULA]

maybe instead of worrying about a damn sign SBUX should teach all these new rookies how to make drinks and work.

[Davidek Mahavishnu]

Really have mixed feelings on this; on one hand, it does look some like the SB logo, but, WTF?, the name is DIFFERENT! Who could possibly think it would be a Starbucks?

[Starbucks Barista 2005-2008]

I have seen a lot of indie coffee shops in Georgia that are using green and white as their primary colors (much like Starbucks), especially in their exterior signage. When you think about it, it could be a very clever ruse by these coffee shop owners. Maybe they think that the green and white coffee shop signage will cause potential customers to think they are going into a real Starbucks when it isn't.

[Jeremiahx]

As a trademark holder you are required to "take all reasonable steps to protect a trademark" (http://www.chillingeffects.org/trademark/faq.cgi#QID418)

Essentially you have to defend your trademark otherwise it can be deemed abandoned and the trademark holder could lose any type of claim to the trademark. So that is why it always sounds like the "Big guy going after the little guy" but in reality they have to or they could lose out.

[Paul]

I have a question kind of unrelated to the topic... :p. Today, I got this thing on my receipt when I bought a tumbler, it says that I should go to a website called "www.mystarbucksvisit.com" and fill out a survey to get a free tall drink. I've never, EVER seen this before on any of my receipts(and I always get them).

Anyone know if this is legit, new, or what? I wasn't able to find anything on the main sbux website. D:

[Welshy]

@ Paul
Yes they are legit, and they do pop up once in awhile :) The barista should of explained it to you.. Anywho, takes a a few minutes and well you write a code down and then bring the receipt back to any starbucks ( you dont have to go back to the one you got it from) and you shall have your free drink, however, it doesn't have to be a tall. ;)

[Paul]

Thank you, :D

[A Non eMoose]

"you shall have your free drink, however, it doesn't have to be a tall."

The discount code will work for any size drink, but the receipt explicitly states that it is good for a free tall drink.

[JavaJunk]

That logo totally looks like a word clip art.. Hardly the dramatic story about trademark infringement I had imagined. Clearly this dude was thinking fake it till you make it. I doubt Starbucks would have really lost any money to this shop had they not asked him to stop ripping them off. I guess the silver lining was.. Starbucks asked. How nice o_O

[MPetruccelli]

The Boulders Coffee was badly designed. It would never stand in court that "I didn't mean to, and no harm was done."

Starbucks has a real, definitive purpose to pursue these types of cases. If you let the identity of your Trademark falter even a little, you will often lose the rights to your logo.

[ffxiv gil]

it is not a Starbucks to avoid this situation happening again." The Boulders owner says he's complied, which should have.

[Jordan shoes]

If you believe it is fair for all concerned, it will withstand the test of time.

[lol?]

That would be like me, taking the mcdonalds M and calling my place, Martens.

[Jordan Shoe]

Before you start, there are some points you have to know: A hike can take a few hours or weeks

[VM]

Wake up America..We need t be on alert. Starbucks is a marketing and branding wolf in Sheeps Clothing.

Their online marketing stuff is geared to dull your senses to the New World Order..

Sound insane? Read on....

Their free downlaod site is loaded full of Illuminattti symbolism.

They know we are stupid, neive or don't care,or don't believe it...

So they march on..showing us the images

See how many "Pyramids in their cute free download cute videos and graphics, with "All seeing eyes" or "Words,phrases" that are similar to NWO

Example:
"New Word City" Book club
Keep reading for news about a new a addition to the staff..

ISSUE? The New world Order is coming and they want your freedom...
Don't be blind... learn about it...
YOU TUBE has many, many historical videos and presentations to learn from. Of course weird stuff is on there too...but you need ,must decipher truth from fiction. If now withing a few years, it will be the next generation that will be effected... your grand kids

FEMA is part of it ...google it

They made coffins for the masses

YOU Are the masses.They are the VIPS of society..trying go fit in with other VIPS..CRAZY STUFF? Look at the NAZI party ...they showed it's possible!

Be aware of how Starbucks is a big part of the branding of THE NEW WORLD ORDER.
Why is it dangerous?
It's about the elite controlling the masses. Learn Why these people feel they are better than YOU!

Starbucks is brain washing us to accept the New World Order terms and symbols..

One of their "Free downloads" a cartoon about a boy who is "Watched" by cameras all over his town, there were also pyramids and "All seeing eyes" all over his walls..

To prove this is a real issue ...Star Bucks hired a new world economy geru, a guy named "Joshua Cooper Ramos" is now on Starbucks staff..
Google him and be aware.. he is involved with writing about The New World Order ! Worked in China ...

Now on Starbucks staff!!!!

Christians say the NWO has to do with the Anti Christ... opposing Christianity..The Mark of THE Beast..role out by the NWO .. can't buy or sell without it.. The Bible says if you get the Mark.. you will not be able to enter the Heaven of God etc... What if Revelations is happening? You may have to make a choice..what will you do?

[beer]

VM. shut up and drink the koolaid!