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Coffee (TM)
The latest target of Starbucks hyperactive trademark attorneys is Tulsa, Oklahoma's DoubleShot Coffee, a small independent shop and retailer. Starbuck's is claiming the rights to the word "DoubleShot," a term that, if I am doing the math correctly, refers to two shots of espresso. I'm having a hard time believing that Starbucks came up with that recipe.
This isn't the first time Starbucks has tried to trademark a common phrase and bully smaller members of the industry out of using it. For example, Starbucks didn't invent Christmas but they attempted to stop the monks of the All-Merciful Savior Monastery from selling a Christmas blend of their Monastery Blend Coffee. I'm glad to see that the DoubleShot folks intend to fight back; I hope it doesn't cost them too much money.
Starbucks has me cowed. I had planned to launch an eponymous business selling gift cards to independent coffee shops called "Star Bucks," but you are just going to have to make do with cash at a not-Starbucks location near you.
Via Consumerist
Posted by Charles Star on 04/10/2006 | Permalink
Comments
I, too, share a desire to patronize the locally-owned not-a-Starbucks location near me (GSO, NC), but in this case, the local shop is horrible. They lie about roasting their own beans, and the coffee is old-tasting and bland all the time. They have a sign that says "friends don't let friends go to Starbucks." In this case, I have to go to big old Starbucks for decent product. The local shop is playing everybody for a fool and deserves to go out of business as soon as possible. Too bad. I'd love to love 'em, but can't.
Posted by: chak | Apr 13, 2006 4:12:31 AM
It is tough when the only local alternative is Tweek's, but I have a hard time believing that Starbucks is much better.
Posted by: Charles Star | Apr 13, 2006 1:46:30 PM
Too bad that this medium sized sort-of-a-city that I live in has some 15 Starbucks. How many are needed? My house will probably soon be bulldozed under the new imminent domain ruling by the Supreme Court to make room for yet another one. Then I'll be totally sorry that I ever bought anything from that pagan goddess. ;-)
Posted by: chak | Apr 16, 2006 4:12:00 AM
