Starbucks: Starbarks in Algonquin Needs to Change Name, Logo
The dog daycare facility recently received a cease and desist letter from Starbucks.
One Algonquin business is getting a lot of attention these days.
The news that Starbarks, 220 N. Main Street, received a cease and desist letter from Starbucks, which requested the Algonquin dog daycare facility change its name, logo and website URL, has been featured on Chicago TV stations as well as in several other local newspapers over the past week.
The Starbarks sign has some obvious similarities to the Starbucks logo. The background is green, the shape is oval and there are two stars on each side of the oval.
The owner of Starbarks, Andrea McCarthy-Grzybek, told the Northwest Herald she responded to Starbucks, offerring to change Starbarks' logo from green to yellow and to replace the stars in the logo with paws. Starbucks turned down that offer.
McCarthy-Gryzbek told the Daily Herald she thought the Starbarks name was "cute and a play on words" and questioned why Starbucks was picking on her small business, according to the Daily Herald.
Starbucks spokesman Zack Hutson told the Chicago Sun-Times his company had "a legal obligation to protect intellectual property" as a way to keep exclusive rights to it. He said he hoped to reach an agreement with Starbarks out of court, according to the Sun-Times.
Meanwhile, the local business at 220 N. Main Street in Algonquin has hung a huge sign outside that reads "The coffee giant wants us to change our name and logo. Voice your opinion on Facebook..."
And loyal customers to Starbarks as well as several others have been sounding off on the Starbarks Facebook page. Many have been supportive of Starbarks, bashing the coffee giant.
"This is disgusting news. Can Starbucks seriously be more petty," wrote one commenter on the Starbarks' Facebook page. "They are a corporate giant bully! I think your name is adorable, and clever."
Others said they understood why Starbucks would want to protect their brand.
"You blatantly copied their name and logo you should have known it would only be a matter of time before this happened," according to one commenter. "People pay a lot of money to protect their trademarks. Maybe you should try coming up with something original."
What do you think? Should Starbarks have to change it's logo, name and website? Is Starbucks picking on the little guy? Vote in our poll and comment below.
Adam Paeth
1:45 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Unfortunately I can see the reasoning behind the CND from Starbucks. I'm not sure, but I believe their logo is a trademark and I believe that in order for a company to be able to keep their trademark they must actively protect it. If they simply let it slide that could be perceived as not actively protecting it. With that said I don't think that Starbarks should have to change their name or logo. It's not like they are remotely in the same business and you're not likely to find someone who confuses the two or claims Starbarks is Starbucks. Just my 2 cents
Rose40
2:40 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
You just can't copy a logo. Its a copyright infringement. I was wondering when Starbarks would get caught. Starbarks is making money off the recognizable logo and name of "Starbucks". Sorry. That's the law.
Alex Bauman
3:12 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Starbucks is doing the right thing. Remember that they too started out as a small business and worked hard to build its brand. They have an obligation to protect it. Starbarks needs to build their own name and look instead of trying to cash in on someone else's hard work. If they do, I am sure they will be as protective of their brand as Starbucks is. And they will have the right to do so.
David
8:14 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
When I first saw this place driving by one day out of the corner of my eye, I actually thought it was a new Starbucks that opened in Algonquin. I turned around to get a cup of coffee, and was surprised that it wasn't a Starbucks at all. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who made this mistake.
This place needs to change their logo. Way too much resemblance to Starbucks coffee.
Linda Rose
8:23 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
People who do things that are not right nor legal should not get upset when they get nailed on it. They should gracefully change their name and move on. They know they are wrong.
Jamiedog
1:35 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Absolutely! I hate to say it, but most even small businesses know enough to get a lawyer's advice when starting a new venture. While the owner of this dog care facility obviously thought she was "in the clear"--I wonder how she would have felt if she had spent time and money years ago developing a new logo/branding--only to have another company "steal/borrow" (choose your own definition) your logo that you created (AND had trademarked) years ago? How would this dog care facility owner feel if a similar business down the street "borrowed" her company's name? I see this as being a bit naive in business matters and not doing her homework upfront. I wish her all the best though and can't see how changing her company's name/logo would hurt her business if she is truly running a great facility (the name change shouldn't matter to loyal customers).
Max
8:23 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Apparently, the owner is looking into alternatives....Capudogs, Applebarks, Barkstro Wasabi, Bark n Shake, Howlihans, Doginos,
Jamiedog
1:36 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Boy, I hope you're not right and that the owner of this dog facility has learned something from all of this?!
Larry Miglore
8:36 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I'm constantly getting the two establishments confused. I find myself amongst 20 to 30 dogs and wonder where the "Baristas" are. They should be fined, closed, fire all the employees and liquidate the manager/owner.
Dan Arenov
10:30 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
ha. ha.
i'm usually in the corner of the small businessman, but in this case would agree that the dog place crossed the line.
When you start a new business, the selection of the name is a process in itself, including getting a web address, etc.. these people MUST have known that they were playing with fire.
TheGonqTownie
12:49 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I don't believe that Starbucks has a leg to stand on. It is a completely different industry. Doggie Day care has nothing to do with coffee. I think you should stand your ground!!
TheGonqTownie
12:51 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
I say keep the Starbarks name and make it more space oriented. Like a dog in a space suit! I think Starbucks is probably more focused on the logo than the name.
Ruth G.
2:07 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2012
When I drove by it ... I originally thought it was a new Starbucks ...then I read the sign and realized it was a dog grooming business. However, they came up with the name...its too close to Starbucks. And it IS infringement on intellectual property ... Why even name a dog grooming business this?
andy
6:14 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
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