‘Dumb Starbucks’ doppelganger provokes storm in a coffee mug
A new Starbucks outlet in Los Angeles has raised eyebrows after the owners elected to add the suffix ‘dumb’ to the coffee chain’s signage and logo.
Dumb Starbucks has been generating queues of caffeine addicts eager to sample its wares, prompting lawyers representing the real deal to investigate.
Utilising the same imagery, typeface and décor as the real Starbucks, apart from the addition of one erroneous word, the café has left people scratching their heads – with staff claiming that as the name is a parody its use of copyrighted material is permissible under freedom of speech laws.
A statement issued by the café owners said: “Although we are a fully functioning coffee shop, for legal reasons Dumb Starbucks needs to be categorize as a work of parody art. So, in the eyes of the law, our 'coffee shop' is actually an art gallery and the 'coffee' you’re buying is considered the art. But that’s for our lawyers to worry about. All you need to do is enjoy our delicious coffee!”
Two baristas, employed via Craigslist, have been doling out in Dumb Grande, Dumb Venti and Dumb Tall versions of Dumb Espresso, Dumb Iced Coffee, and Dumb Frappuccinos but profess ignorance as to the purpose of the venture.