Starbucks was one of about 1,000 U.S. companies that high-tailed out of Russia after their military invasion of Ukraine. The Seattle coffee behemoth had been in Russia for over 15 years, and there were 130 stores located throughout the country.
So with that vacancy, a pro-Putin rapper named Tomato partnered with a restaurateur and bought up all the vacant locations. So, with the real estate locked up, they next turned to making a logo and creating a name for the new business. They didn’t stray far from what was there for a decade and a half; the coffee shops are called Star Coffee, and their logo looks a whole lot like Starbucks’ logo.
If you’re wondering if there is a trademark issue, there most certainly is, but the Russian government decreed that the patents held by businesses that left the country are fair game.
This is just the start too. Other Russian entrepreneurs are applying for trademarks similar to Mercedes Benz, Pampers, and Coca-Cola to knock off those successful brands.
Starbucks is not commenting on the similarities of the logo. This one might not be worth the fight.
As for Timati, he released a single called “My Best Friend is Vladimir Putin.”
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