Daily Times

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has issued an interim order directing a Lahore based café, Options International Ltd, to immediately stop using Starbucks’ logo and advertising information on its coffee brand since it is a copyright violation.

Starbucks, an international chain of coffeehouses registered in Washington, had sent a formal complaint to the CCP that Options restaurant was fraudulently using its official trademark deceiving consumers and harming its business interest. Starbucks said that it had not opened any franchise in Pakistan.

In the interim order, the CCP restrained the Options International Ltd from marketing, advertising, producing and supplying coffee and other related products with Starbucks’ trademark and logo without any authorisation from the complainant till the issuance of the final order and conclusion of the proceedings.

In case of any violation of the above said directions, the Options International Ltd will be liable to a fine of Rs 10 million, it added.

Earlier, based on findings of the inquiry report, the CCP issued the show-cause notice to Options. During the hearings, the respondent admitted that it was imitating the products such as coffee cups of Starbucks and other coffee houses merely as souvenirs.

Starbucks also complained that the Respondent was and continues to use the their trademark and packaging on its Facebook page in order to deceive the consumers.

The Washington-based chain said that “in the situation that exists or is likely to emerge, serious or irreparable damage may occur to the Complainant; hence it must be restrained to take any opportunity to ride on the back of the Starbucks brand to attract consumers.”