'Charbucks' blend leaves Starbucks boiling mad

By The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.H. - Seattle-based Starbucks is suing a New Hampshire company for using a variation of its name in marketing a new coffee blend.

In a suit filed in U.S. District Court in New York City, Starbucks says Black Bear Micro Roastery of Tuftonboro, N.H., is harming Starbucks' reputation by selling a dark coffee blend under the name "Charbucks."

"Inclusion of the term char as part of the Charbucks name immediately creates, in the minds of many consumers, the image of charred coffee beans, which has obvious negative connotations among potential coffee purchasers of coffee products," lawyers for the company argue in the 13-page suit.

"Further, Charbucks is so similar to Starbucks that consumers who hear or read the Charbucks name will instantly think of Starbucks."

The suit seeks unspecified damages.

"We will be ground up very quickly," Black Bear co-owner Jim Clark said after being served with the suit Tuesday.

Clark acknowledged he had agreed to stop selling the coffee under that name after discussing the issue with Starbucks. But he didn't complete the agreement because he said he believes he didn't do anything wrong.

"Our intent was not to defame but to show how dark the blend is," Clark said.

Starbucks said it tried to resolve the issue without going to court but in the end had no choice.

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