By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
Karachi: In a rare trademark showdown, local cafe Sattar Buksh has successfully defended itself against global coffee giant Starbucks, making headlines for turning parody into a legal victory. The cafe, founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf, was accused of imitating Starbucks’ brand identity.
Starbucks objects to resemblance
Although Starbucks has not opened any outlets in Pakistan, the company filed a legal objection against Sattar Buksh soon after its launch. Starbucks argued that the Karachi-based cafe’s name and logo bore strong phonetic and visual similarities to its globally recognised brand, which could mislead customers and dilute its trademark value.
Cafe argues parody and cultural roots
In response, Sattar Buksh’s founders maintained that their brand was rooted in humour, parody, and Pakistani cultural context. They stressed that “Sattar Buksh” is a name with historic and cultural relevance, well-known in the subcontinent long before Starbucks entered global markets.
They also highlighted key differences in their branding. Instead of Starbucks’ iconic twin-tailed siren, the Pakistani cafe used the image of a moustached man. Variations in colour scheme, fonts, and design were further pointed out. Over time, the cafe also made minor logo adjustments and added disclaimers clarifying there was no connection to Starbucks.
Unique menu and quirky identity
Beyond the dispute over its name and logo, Sattar Buksh built a reputation for originality. Its menu combines local and international flavours, serving not only coffee but also pizzas, burgers, and shisha. Notable items include the “Besharam Burger,” a bunless burger with a playful twist, and the “LOC Pizza,” symbolically divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian halves, referencing the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.
The founders argued that their offbeat menu, irreverent humour, and cultural references gave the cafe an identity far removed from Starbucks’ standardised global template.
Court sides with local cafe
Pakistan’s trademark law protects internationally well-known marks from imitation, ensuring that businesses cannot benefit unfairly from brand recognition. Starbucks argued that Sattar Buksh crossed this boundary, while the cafe countered that parody and cultural context allowed it to exist independently.
After lengthy proceedings, the court ruled in favour of Sattar Buksh. The judgement allowed the cafe to continue operations under its existing identity, while encouraging further steps to avoid consumer confusion with Starbucks.
A win for parody and local identity
The verdict has sparked debate across legal and business circles. Intellectual property experts note that while global companies often dominate trademark battles, this case highlights the importance of cultural context and parody in shaping brand identities.
For many Pakistanis, the case is seen as an underdog victory, with Sattar Buksh successfully defending a homegrown brand against one of the world’s most powerful corporations. The cafe has since become a symbol of wit, resilience, and cultural pride.
