A store calling itself “Dumb Starbucks” opened briefly in Los Angeles, claiming protection under parody law, but the real Starbucks wasn’t amused.
The shop’s “Frequently Asked Questions,” posted on Forbes, said:
“Although we are a fully functioning coffee shop, for legal reasons Dumb Starbucks needs to be categorized as a work of parody art. So, in the eyes of the law, our ‘coffee shop’ is actually an art gallery and the ‘coffee’ you’re buying is considered the art. But that’s for our lawyers to worry about. All you need to do is enjoy our delicious coffee!”
Dumb Starbucks, which has its own Twitter account, tweeted Saturday:
Enjoy our full menu of coffees and cold drinks pic.twitter.com/wPacrEEH9k
— Dumb Starbucks (@dumbstarbucks) February 8, 2014
Whether the coffee was good or not, the line extended out the door, according to this tweet:
Advertising ploy or pop art piece? Either way, there’s a big dumb crowd. #dumbstarbucks #smartbanksy? pic.twitter.com/oiF1YeXwiX
— Andrew Rutledge (@jandrewrutledge) February 9, 2014
A Starbucks spokesperson responded Monday in an email to the Huffington Post, saying the company was aware of the Dumb Starbucks store and adding:
“It is not affiliated with Starbucks. We are evaluating next steps and while we appreciate the humor, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark.”
One customer offered a warning:
Go buy some @dumbstarbucks before dumb lawyers get to it pic.twitter.com/67E2zq0myf
— Mark McCune (@MarkMcCune) February 8, 2014
Looks like it may already be too late:
THIS JUST IN: Dumb Starbucks in Silver Lake shut down by health department. pic.twitter.com/YFzz15cimh
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 11, 2014
Watch the report here via Los Angeles CBS affiliate KCAL:
Parking ticket prank video going viral
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