A cafe in Karachi has captured international headlines after winning a trademark dispute against American coffee giant Starbucks. Known as Sattar Buksh, the Pakistani local cafe rose to prominence not only for its coffee but also for its cheeky branding, a round green logo featuring a moustached man, widely seen as a humorous take on Starbucks' iconic mermaid emblem.
Despite Starbucks having no outlets in Pakistan at the time, the brand took legal action against Sattar Buksh, arguing that the similarities in name and design could mislead consumers and infringe on its global identity, reports Gulf News.
Origins of Sattar Buksh
Founded in 2013 by Pakistani entrepreneurs Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf, Sattar Buksh quickly drew attention for its phonetic and visual resemblance to Starbucks. The founders, however, maintained that their cafe was not a copy but a satirical and culturally rooted concept.
They emphasised that the name Sattar Buksh holds cultural significance in Pakistan, and was intended to be a locally inspired brand. The cafe also pointed out notable differences in logo design, including the moustached figure, unique fonts, and altered colour tones, and later included disclaimers stating that there was no affiliation with Starbucks.
Menu and identity set it apart
Moving beyond the branding controversy, Sattar Buksh carved out its own identity with an eclectic menu that fuses local and international flavours. Customers can find everything from burgers and pizzas to shisha.
Some items carry a humorous twist, such as the Besharam Burger, served without buns, and the loc pizza, named after the line of control between India and Pakistan, featuring both vegetarian and non-vegetarian halves.
Court rules in favour of Sattar Buksh
Under Pakistani trademark laws, internationally recognised brands are protected from trademark infringement that could cause consumer confusion or dilute brand identity. Starbucks argued that Sattar Buksh's branding violated these protections.
However, the Karachi-based cafe defended itself by highlighting the satirical nature of its concept, the cultural relevance of its name, and its distinctly different offerings.
The court ultimately sided with Sattar Buksh, allowing the cafe to continue its operations. The verdict has been widely seen as a landmark win for local entrepreneurship and satire, standing its ground against one of the world's most recognisable corporate giants.
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