Copycat logo? Courts say no
Think these logos look an awfully lot alike? Both use green, both are circular, both use the words “Star” and “Coffee”, both have stars and both have mythical-style illustrations in the center. And of course, both are logos for stores that sell coffee. Starbucks thought so too, which is why they filed a lawsuit claiming Starpreya Coffee is riding their corporate coattails.
But the Intellectual Property Tribunal in South Korea, where Starpreya is based, ruled today the logos are different enough that no confusion would occur. The judge stated, in part, that “the words ‘Preya’ and ‘Bucks’ do not have any special meanings. Both of the trade names are made of two words and are very unlikely to be called in separate forms such as `Star’ or `Preya’ and `Star’ or `Bucks’.”
Just goes to show you that in order for copyright infringement to occur, the logo must be almost pixel for pixel the same.
Interestingly, Starbucks opened its first store in Seoul in 1999, and Starpreya registered their logo in 2003, according to The Korea Herald.
Here’s a complete history of the Starbucks logo.
October 17th, 2006
What are they smoking in Seoul that would make them belive it’s not a flagrant attempt to ape Starbucks’ logo? The parent company’s name is Elpreya, the goddess it’s named after is Preya. From the name of the coffee brand to the color choice and circle design, to the wavy hair of the figure, it’s a no-brainer. I don’t think a US company would be able to get away with this.
Here’s hoping Starbucks will win out in the Korean Supreme Court.
October 18th, 2006
[stoners] socom 3 us navy seals
November 6th, 2006
Wow that logo is just a complete ripoff of Starpreya.
I wonder how much they payed that judge to close an eye
November 29th, 2007
I can’t believe they got away with that - it’s clearly a knock-off.
Then again, I think the Coffee Primo (UK motorway services) logo, and for that matter, the Costa Coffee logos, are all a bit similar to the Starbucks one.