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| 'Dumb' Starbucks owner revealed to be comedy personality | 'Dumb' Starbucks owner revealed to be comedy personality |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The owner of a parody coffee shop in Los Angeles called "Dumb Starbucks" has been revealed to be Canadian television comedy personality Nathan Fielder. | |
| Mr Fielder appeared in person at the store to make the announcement, where he said there are plans to open a second outlet in Brooklyn, New York. | Mr Fielder appeared in person at the store to make the announcement, where he said there are plans to open a second outlet in Brooklyn, New York. |
| There had been widespread speculation that the store, which uses Starbuck's trademarks, was a publicity stunt. | There had been widespread speculation that the store, which uses Starbuck's trademarks, was a publicity stunt. |
| Starbucks said they were aware of the store but denied any affiliation. | Starbucks said they were aware of the store but denied any affiliation. |
| "We are evaluating next steps and while we appreciate the humour, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark," a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement. | |
| 'Dumb iced coffee' | 'Dumb iced coffee' |
| "Dumb Starbucks" opened in a shopping centre on Friday and started giving away free drinks, generating long queues of people. | "Dumb Starbucks" opened in a shopping centre on Friday and started giving away free drinks, generating long queues of people. |
| The decoration of the "Dumb Starbucks" is very similar to that of a real Starbucks. | The decoration of the "Dumb Starbucks" is very similar to that of a real Starbucks. |
| The store front has the same green awning and round mermaid logo as Starbucks' coffee shops - except the work "Dumb" is placed in large letters above the word Starbucks. | The store front has the same green awning and round mermaid logo as Starbucks' coffee shops - except the work "Dumb" is placed in large letters above the word Starbucks. |
| The wall menu inside the pop-up store offered coffee that ranged from "horrible" to "bitter", as well as products called "dumb iced coffee" and "dumb white chocolate mocha." | The wall menu inside the pop-up store offered coffee that ranged from "horrible" to "bitter", as well as products called "dumb iced coffee" and "dumb white chocolate mocha." |
| The drinks were served in a white paper cup with a sticker of the Starbucks logo with the word "dumb" added to it. | The drinks were served in a white paper cup with a sticker of the Starbucks logo with the word "dumb" added to it. |
| None of the patrons were charged for their drinks, although there was a tip jar. | None of the patrons were charged for their drinks, although there was a tip jar. |
| "Parody Law" | "Parody Law" |
| The "Dumb Starbucks" coffee shop has also set up its own Facebook page and Twitter handle, which has accumulated more than 8,000 followers. | The "Dumb Starbucks" coffee shop has also set up its own Facebook page and Twitter handle, which has accumulated more than 8,000 followers. |
| On the micro-blogging website, it tweeted that "the owner of Dumb Starbucks will be making an in person announcement at our store (1802 Hillhurst Ave) today at 4pm. All are welcome!" | On the micro-blogging website, it tweeted that "the owner of Dumb Starbucks will be making an in person announcement at our store (1802 Hillhurst Ave) today at 4pm. All are welcome!" |
| At the designated time, a Youtube video was posted on the "Dumb Starbucks" Twitter account, revealing Mr Fielder as the owner. | At the designated time, a Youtube video was posted on the "Dumb Starbucks" Twitter account, revealing Mr Fielder as the owner. |
| Mr Fielder is best known for his work on US television network Comedy Central and for encouraging fans to pull pranks. | Mr Fielder is best known for his work on US television network Comedy Central and for encouraging fans to pull pranks. |
| While many have dismissed the store as a publicity stunt, experts say the people behind the "Dumb Starbucks" could potentially face legal action over copyright infringement. | While many have dismissed the store as a publicity stunt, experts say the people behind the "Dumb Starbucks" could potentially face legal action over copyright infringement. |
| However, in the "Dumb Starbucks" store, the owners posted a statement at the counter stating that the store is protected by "parody law." | However, in the "Dumb Starbucks" store, the owners posted a statement at the counter stating that the store is protected by "parody law." |
| "By adding the word 'dumb,' we are technically 'making fun' of Starbucks, which allows us to use their trademarks under a law known as 'fair use'," the statement said. | "By adding the word 'dumb,' we are technically 'making fun' of Starbucks, which allows us to use their trademarks under a law known as 'fair use'," the statement said. |
| "In the eyes of the law, our 'coffee shop' is actually an art gallery and the 'coffee' you're buying is considered art. But that's for our lawyers to worry about." | "In the eyes of the law, our 'coffee shop' is actually an art gallery and the 'coffee' you're buying is considered art. But that's for our lawyers to worry about." |