"We've Used It for 500 Years"... Pakistani Cafe Defeats Starbucks in Trademark Dispute

Sattar Buxi Wins Trademark Dispute Against Starbucks
Court Recognizes Claim: "It's a Parody, Not Imitation"

The cafe "Sattar Buxi" in Karachi, Pakistan, has won a trademark dispute against global coffee giant Starbucks. "Sattar Buxi" became the subject of controversy for using a cafe name and logo design similar to Starbucks, but the court recognized the claim that it was a parody and an expression of Pakistani culture, allowing the cafe to continue its business.

Starbucks (left) logo and Satar Buxi logo.

On September 12 (local time), international media outlets such as News18 reported that the Pakistani cafe "Sattar Buxi" not only gained popularity on social media but also won its legal battle against Starbucks. Sattar Buxi was opened in 2013 by Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yusuf in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. The cafe gained fame by embracing humor and Pakistani culture. Its logo, at first glance, closely resembles that of Starbucks: a green circle with wavy patterns, but instead of a mermaid (siren), it features the face of a mustached man.

When Sattar Buxi opened, Starbucks had no stores in Pakistan. However, Starbucks argued that the Sattar Buxi cafe name and logo could confuse consumers and damage the value of its brand. In response, Sattar Buxi countered, "We did not imitate Starbucks, but rather parodied it," emphasizing their unique identity. "Sattar" is a common male name in Pakistan, and "Buxi" means "one who gives" or "one who serves" in Urdu.

"Sattar Buxi Appears in Literature from 500 Years Ago"

The founders even presented historical records showing that this name appeared in Arabic literature 500 years ago, and this historical evidence served as a strong defense against Starbucks' legal actions.

Pakistani trademark law prohibits acts that imitate or cause confusion with well-known brands. During the trial, Starbucks argued that Sattar Buxi's branding violated this law and that there was a risk consumers could confuse the two brands. However, Sattar Buxi insisted that their branding was an obvious parody, and that the design, font, color, and cafe menu were all different from Starbucks.

During the lengthy legal battle, Sattar Buxi made some modifications to its logo and added an explicit notice stating that it is not affiliated with Starbucks. Ultimately, the cafe won its legal fight against Starbucks and continues to operate to this day.