‘Dumb Starbucks’ claims parody protection
A Starbucks spokesman says that won’t fly. The Starbucks name is a registered trademark and the shop, which offered free coffee over the weekend, can’t use it. (UPDATE)
It’s a 1 hour wait outside the #DumbStarbucks in #LosFeliz. Still no word on who is behind the spoof #KPCC. pic.twitter.com/P8maQC8UnS
— Frank Stoltze (@StoltzeFrankly) February 9, 2014
What is Dumb Starbucks, you ask? From everything we can tell, it’s an exploration in trademark law. It opened on Friday, offering free coffee. Real Starbucks is “looking into it right now,” and a company spokesperson assured SCPR.org, the website of Southern California Public Radio, that it was not affiliated with Starbucks. Company spokesman Zack Hutson told the Los Angeles Times that the shop is in its crosshairs: “We are evaluating next steps, and while we appreciate the humor, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark.”
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
