Dumb Starbucks Could Face Legal Action From The Real Starbucks

Dumb Starbucks claims it is a parody and protected from copyright laws, but the real Starbucks may have some different ideas.

The “Dumb Starbucks” store that opened in Los Angeles is nearly identical to the authentic Starbucks — including the store’s look and logo — except that it has the word “dumb” in front of it. The store made a splash after opening by giving out free coffee, leading to lines of an hour or more.

Inside the store, customers found a menu nearly identical to that of the real Starbucks except with the word “dumb” inserted in front of all the items, like “Dumb Espresso” and “Dumb Frappuccino.”

The store claims it is a parody, and thus able to use the Starbucks name and logo as a way to “make fun” of the popular coffee chain.

But it appears that the real Starbucks disagrees, and is prepared to make a legal challenge if necessary.

“We are evaluating next steps and while we appreciate the humor, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark,” Starbucks said in an email to USA Today.

The majority of trademark disputes are “handled informally,” according to Starbucks spokeswoman Laurel Harper in an email to the Associated Press.

Mark McKenna, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame who specializes in trademark law, said he think inserting “dumb” in front of the company’s name isn’t enough to Dumb Starbucks a parody.

“My gut tells me a court would be bothered by how much of the Starbucks trademark was used. It’s not just the word but they also made the store look just like it,” McKenna said in an interview with USA Today.

If Starbucks does pursue legal action, it runs the risk of losing public support. In the past the coffee chain sued comic book artist Kieren Dwyer over a parody logo and sued another small brewery with a product called “Frappicino,” and in each case was subjected to public criticism.

Dumb Starbucks has not yet responded to the threat from the real Starbucks.