Court Rejects Starbucks’ Appeal To Ban “Charbucks” Coffee

Starbucks lost an appeal against Black Bear Micro Roastery’s sale of “Charbucks Blends.” The 2^nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced that Starbucks Corp. failed to prove consumers would dilute Black Bear Micro Roastery and Starbucks coffee. It was determined that Black Bear Micro Roastery of New Hampshire is not violating any copyright or trademark laws by selling “Charbucks Blend,” “Mister Charbucks” and “Mr. Charbucks” coffee. The case began in 2001 when Starbucks Corp. filed a lawsuit against the family-owned roaster for selling a brand of coffee mocking the dark-roast blend of Starbucks. Full report.