Fake ‘Starbucks’ Locations That Look Legitimate Brew Confusion In Iraq
Photo 19623112 © Jennifer Pitiquen | Dreamstime.com
It’s often said that one way to inherit star quality is by faking it until you make it. One businessman took this philosophy so seriously, he became a “Starbucks” franchisor in Iraq without getting an actual license from the Seattle chain.
As the Associated Press reports, the three “Starbucks” locations in Baghdad are counterfeits, but patrons will be none the wiser. Everything from the signboard to the interior, cups, and napkins are identical to authenticated cafés elsewhere in the world—the wannabe even claims the coffee is the same.
No definitely not genuine stores. Now there's multiple ones opening.
— Tahrir (@iraq_mawtini) February 8, 2021
Soon there'll be more Starbucks in Baghdad than in the US!
No detail is left unturned, as the Iraqi coffee shops even import real Starbucks merchandise from neighboring countries, says the report.
Fake Starbucks is recently opened in Baghdad.. pic.twitter.com/571pBA1fOG
— Harry Istepanian (@HarryIstepanian) January 23, 2021
Starbucks filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the imposter, but its attorneys were reportedly hit back with threats by the owner, who warned them he had ties to powerful political figures and the military.
The news outlet notes that Iraq often turns up as a culprit of intellectual property breach as regulation in the country is weak. According to the AP, offenders mimic brands and products in broad daylight with the knowledge that they’re protected by authorities.
The degree of violation is so high that the International Trade Association beseeches businesses to “have an overall strategy to protect their Intellectual Property in Iraq,” as per Tasting Table.
Amin Makhsusi, who owns the three mock locations, denies exercising tyranny on Starbucks’ lawyers. “I am a businessman,” he comments, adding that he had only opened the branches after requests to obtain a license from Starbucks in the Middle East were dismissed.
Makhsusi says his ambition pushed him to open the copycat Starbucks anyway, and that he was prepared to “bear the consequences.”
I normally try not to post frivolous stuff, but I was not expecting to see a Starbucks on my way the the Spanish Embassy in Baghdad. Now to figure out if they deliver. pic.twitter.com/Tzz5BMDEMU
— John Cochrane (@John_Cochrane_) March 3, 2021
The business owner says he has sold the Iraqi “Starbucks” chain to new management.
A spokesperson for Starbucks tells the Associated Press that the company is assessing next steps, and that it has the “obligation to protect our intellectual property from infringement to retain our exclusive rights.”
#starbucks now in Baghdad pic.twitter.com/d0II2ksSd6
— ahmed zebari (@alzibaree) August 14, 2020
[via Associated Press and Tasting Table, images via various sources]
