Dec 4, 2009
2nd Circuit Revives Starbucks’ Mark Dispute Over ‘Charbucks’ Name
Starbucks is getting another chance to stop a New Hampshire purveyor of roasted coffee beans from using the name “Charbucks.” The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived one part of a suit by the Seattle-based coffee giant, saying Starbucks can pursue a claim of trademark dilution by “blurring.” In so doing, the court said a change in federal law on dilution of trademarks led it to discard the standard that the marks in question be “substantially similar.”