Sattar Buksh, a Karachi cafe, has won a trademark dispute against Starbucks after a long-drawn legal battle. The multinational had argued that the similarity in name and logo could confuse customers, dilute its brand, and infringe on trademark laws.
As per media reports, the dispute centered on the cafe’s green circular logo featuring a moustached man, seen as a satirical nod to Starbucks’ mermaid, and its name, which Starbucks claimed was misleadingly similar. The global coffee chain invoked Pakistan’s trademark laws, which allow international brands to challenge businesses over “misleading similarities.”
Despite Starbucks’ legal firepower, the verdict has gone in favor of the Karachi cafe. The ruling has been seen as a win not just for Sattar Buksh, but also for satire, cultural expression, and local entrepreneurship against multinational dominance.
Launched in 2013 by Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf, Sattar Buksh began as a parody-driven venture inspired by South Asian culture. The name combines “Sattar,” a common Pakistani first name, and “Buksh,” meaning “giver” or “servant” in Urdu. The founders even cited references in a 500-year-old Arabic text to prove cultural authenticity.
Beyond its branding, the cafe has gained a loyal following through its humorous menu. The ‘Besharam Burger,’ a burger served without a top bun, and the ‘LOC Pizza,’ split between vegetarian and non-vegetarian halves, have become iconic offerings that double as playful social commentary.
What started as a tongue-in-cheek experiment has since evolved into a cultural landmark in Karachi. With the verdict secured, Sattar Buksh continues to brew more than coffee, it brews conversation.
