By News18,Sahas Mahapatra

Copyright news18

A cafe in Pakistan has been making headlines for its unusual name and playful logo. Sattar Buksh has drawn attention not just for its coffee but for its branding: a round green emblem with wavy patterns and a man with a moustache. The emblem drew attention as it bore a playful resemblance to Starbucks’ iconic mermaid logo. The cafe’s look and name created buzz on social media that sparked curiosity and even a legal battle with a global coffee giant.
The issue arose when Starbucks noticed the similarities in name and design raised objections. The cafe’s founders, however, insisted that their business was meant to be a satire and a reflection of local culture, not an imitation.
A Cafe Born From Satire
As per reports, Sattar Buksh was launched in 2013 by Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf in Karachi with a clear focus on humour and local culture. From the beginning, the cafe’s branding was playful as the logo featured a man with a moustache instead of a mermaid from Starbucks.
Though Starbucks hadn’t opened any outlets in Pakistan at the time, the global coffee chain raised concerns as they claimed the cafe’s name and logo could confuse customers or weaken its brand. The founders defended the cafe and pointed out that it was built as a satire and had a unique identity.
They argued that the name “Sattar Buksh” had cultural significance: “Sattar” is a common Pakistani name while “Buksh” means giver or servant in Urdu. The founders even cited a 500-year-old Arabic text that mentioned the name to prove its historical roots. This cultural context became a key part of their argument in response to Starbucks’ claims.

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A Menu That Matches The Fun
The cafe’s personality is not just its name and logo, it extends to the food as well. Sattar Buksh’s menu is full of quirky creations that highlight the cafe’s humour. One standout is the “Besharam Burger” which is a burger served without a top bun. Another is the “LOC Pizza.” This pizza is divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian halves which is a playful reference to the India-Pakistan border.
The Legal Dispute
Under Pakistan’s trademark laws, well-known brands are protected against misleading similarities and actions that could dilute their uniqueness. Starbucks argued that Sattar Buksh’s branding violated these rules and could lead customers to assume a connection between the two businesses.
Sattar Buksh, however, defended its name and logo as a parody. The founders pointed out clear differences in design, fonts, colours, menu items and overall aesthetic. They emphasised that there was no intention to mislead anyone and that the cafe had its own distinct identity.
A Major Victory
Over time, Sattar Buksh made minor adjustments to its logo and added disclaimers to clarify that it was not associated with Starbucks. Despite the legal challenge, the cafe reportedly emerged victorious and continued operations.