A cafe in Karachi has won a high-profile trademark case against Starbucks. The cafe is called Sattar Buksh. The owners opened the business in 2013 and built a distinct identity with a round green logo that shows a moustached man. The design and the name drew attention because some people compared them to the global coffee chain.
The founders said the name comes from local culture and history. They also said the brand was intended as satire and not as an attempt to copy. The cafe added disclaimers to make clear that it had no connection to Starbucks.
The legal fight began after the visual and phonetic similarity sparked controversy. Starbucks engaged the courts despite not then having outlets in Pakistan. The case examined the logo, the name, and how the brand presented itself in the market.
The court ruled in favour of Sattar Buksh and allowed the cafe to keep its name and logo. The judgment is seen as a win for local creativity and for the right of small businesses to use culturally rooted branding. The cafe will continue its operations under the approved mark.