Karachi’s well-known café, Sattar Buksh, has scored a major victory against global coffee giant Starbucks in a trademark b@ttle that drew wide attention.
The case highlighted the clash between local creativity and corporate power, with the outcome being celebrated as a rare win for originality and cultural expression in Pakistan.
Sattar Buksh became popular soon after its launch in 2013, not only for its coffee but also for its witty branding. The café’s green logo features a moustached man, a playful twist that many compared to Starbucks’ mermaid symbol.
While the similarity sparked legal complaints from Starbucks, the founders of Sattar Buksh—Rizwan Ahmad and Adnan Yousuf—firmly argued that their brand was not a copy but a satirical take that reflected local humor and culture.
For years, the case drew debate on intellectual property rights and how far global corporations can go in challenging small businesses over branding. Many in Pakistan’s creative and business circles saw the legal dispute as an unfair attempt to silence local innovation.
With this victory, Sattar Buksh has proven that satire and originality rooted in local culture can hold their own against international pressure. Supporters believe the ruling sends a strong message that small businesses deserve space to express creativity without being overshadowed by multinational giants.
The café’s triumph is being celebrated by customers, artists, and entrepreneurs alike as a symbolic win for Pakistan’s creative identity and a reminder that even local voices can stand tall on the global stage.
