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9, December 2006 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
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Even before its India foray could materialise, US coffee retail giant Starbucks has entered into a trademark row with beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain who plans to open a coffee chain under a strikingly similar brand name — Starstrucks. While legal experts believe that resolution of cases related to trademark infringement could take 5-6 years, the global coffee chain operator is confident that it would foray into the country this year itself and has zeroed in on New Delhi and Mumbai. “The company is optimistic that we will be able to open our first store and offer the unique Starbucks Experience in India with a yet-to-be announced joint venture partner by the end of 2007 in either New Delhi or Mumbai,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. However, Starbucks, which is yet to get approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, might have to overcome hurdles related to trademark, with beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain planning to launch her own ‘Starstrucks’ coffee chain where she plans to sell coffee and chocolates with a herbal theme and in a Hollywood like ambiance. Starbucks is, obviously, not amused with Hussain opting for an identical name and has filed petitions challenging it before India’s trademark regulators. Experts believe that the two companies might go for an early settlement in order to avoid lengthy litigations as a number of coffee chains have already mushroomed across the country.
Date: 15-Mar-2007
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