Pakistani café Sattar Buksh wins trademark battle against Starbucks over name and logo

A Karachi café, Sattar Buksh, has won a trademark dispute against global coffee giant Starbucks, marking a rare triumph of local creativity over a multinational brand. Launched in 2013 by Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf, the café became popular for its playful identity — a green circular logo featuring a moustached man and a name that humorously echoes Starbucks. The founders emphasized that it was satire inspired by Pakistani culture, not imitation. While Starbucks argued the branding infringed on its trademark, Sattar Buksh pointed to its cultural context, distinct visuals, and quirky menu items like the Besharam Burger and LOC Pizza to show originality. The court ruled in the café’s favor, a decision widely seen as a victory for local humor and innovation against corporate dominance.