Pakistan’s ‘Sattar Buksh’ Outshines Global Giant ‘Starbucks’

Starbucks initiated a legal battle over the issue, but in the end, the Pakistani court ruled in favor of Sattar Buksh.

According to a research article published on September 4 in the Trends in Intellectual Property Research (TIPR) journal, the verdict was highlighted by Dr. Hassan Murad of the University of Management and Technology, Lahore. TIPR is a biannual, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published both online and in print, focusing on writings related to intellectual property rights.

It is reported that entrepreneurs Rizwan Ahmed and Adnan Yusuf launched Sattar Buksh in 2013. From the beginning, its name and design sparked debate. However, the founders claimed it was not an imitation but rather a satirical and culturally rooted identity.

Alongside its unique logo, Sattar Buksh also gained attention for its creative food menu. The café offered a mix of local and international flavors ranging from burgers and pizzas to shisha. Dishes like the “Besharam Burger,” served without bread, and the “LOC Pizza,” symbolizing the India-Pakistan border by separating vegetarian and non-vegetarian halves, reflected its playful and symbolic approach.

Under Pakistan’s trademark law, imitating well-known brands in a way that creates confusion is prohibited. U.S.-based Starbucks argued that Sattar Buksh had violated this principle. However, the local café maintained that its name and design were satirical and culturally contextual, while its menu showcased originality, proving it was not a copy.

Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Sattar Buksh, allowing the café to continue its operations.