ARTICLE
24 January 2025

Starbucks vs. Starbuds: A Brewing Legal Battle Over Trademark Infringement

KB
KBZ Zuradzki Barczyk & Partners Advocates and Attorneys-at-law LP

Contributor

KBZ Żuradzka & Wspólnicy Adwokaci i Radcy Prawni Sp. K. has been active since 1991. Until 1999, the legal name of the firm was Biuro Obsługi Prawnej „IUS” S.C. It was a partnership of two legal professional (legal counsel and an advocate). It was later converted into a limited partnership (B. Żuradzka Kancelaria Prawna Sp.K.). Since July 2011, the firm has been operating under its present name. The firm’s founder and mentor is Barbara Żuradzka, a lawyer and a winner of the Golden Skills and Competence Laurel Award from the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, Poland.

Since 2004, we have been a Polish member of the international Association of Independent European Lawyers (www.aiel.com). This London-based organisation was founded in 1991 and currently has a membership of 30 law firms based in Europe and worldwide, all of them employing a few hundred lawyers in total. This allows us to offer a competitively-priced and efficiently-delivered array of legal services, such as company

Coffee giant Starbucks is locked in a legal battle with the cannabis company, Starbuds. The heart of the dispute? A strikingly similar logo. ☕️🌿
Poland Intellectual Property

Starbucks is brewing up a legal storm! ☕️⚡

Coffee giantStarbucksis locked in a legal battle with the cannabis company, Starbuds. The heart of the dispute? A strikingly similar logo. ☕️🌿

It should be noted that Starbucks takes the protection of its trademarks very seriously: It owns copyright for the siren image and at least a dozen trademark registrations in about 14 classes for the siren image logo; as well as trademark registrations for the word STARBUCKS or STARBUCKS COFFEE. ⭐"

Starbucks claims that Starbuds' use of a mermaid surrounded by a green circle is an outright copy of its iconic branding. They're accusing the cannabis company of trademark infringement, arguing that consumers could easily confuse the two brands. ⚖️

Starbuds, on the other hand, is likely to face an uphill battle. While they might try to argue fair use or parody, the close resemblance of the logos is a significant hurdle. Starbucks has a strong reputation and has aggressively protected its brand. 🛡️

This case is a high-stakes showdown between two big-name companies. Will justice prevail for the coffee giant, or will the cannabis company find a way to brew up a defense? 🍿

Originally published 18 September 2024

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More