Created around 2003, this was the HaidaBucks web site, created by a man who sympathized with HaidaBucks Cafe and wanted to help them defend and raise money to pay their expenses due to the litigation by the Starbucks corporation over what they said was trademark protection. Content is from the site's 2003 archived pages as well as other sources.
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Welcome to the new If you're as dull-witted as Starbucks® thinks you are, you may not realize you've reached this site by mistake. But! If you're looking for a friendly, Native-owned cafe in NW Canada, Here We Are!! A Synopsis of the "Brew"haha HaidaBucks Cafe made the news recently due to our legal struggle with Starbucks®. They're suing us for trademark infringement because, for some reason, they believe you can't tell the difference between our little shop and their huge, mass-marketed company. If this is true, learn to tell the difference between the two companies. Catch up on the latest news, find out how you can help.
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UPDATE
B.C. natives triumph in battle of the 'Bucks
By Alexandra Gill
August 29, 2003
The coffee in Masset, B.C., tastes exceptionally strong and sweet this week as the owners of a small native-owned café savour their victory over Starbucks.
HaidaBucks, a 60-seat restaurant in a town of 700 on the remote northern edge of the Queen Charlotte Islands, was just an aromatic drip in the rain forest before the international coffee giant filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit last spring. In true David-and-Goliath fashion, the owners of HaidaBucks stood up to the multibillion-dollar company, becoming international heroes in the process.
Having created a public-relations nightmare for itself, the Seattle-based global enterprise, which prides itself on "support for local communities" and fair trade practices, has officially announced that the case is closed.
"We won," said Darin Swanson, one of four HaidaBucks co-owners. "We did more than defend our name; we defended our honour as indigenous peoples and our right to our heritage."
The brew-ha-ha began boiling last March, when a Vancouver law firm, acting on behalf of Starbucks Corp., sent a cease-and-desist letter to the owners of HaidaBucks, requesting that they change the café's name and stop using the "confusing" variation of the Starbucks name and trademark. A formal notice of litigation arrived the following month.
The owners of HaidaBucks, who opened the café in 1999, refused to budge. They argued that "bucks" is a colloquial expression, akin to "dude," that young native men use among themselves.
"Three of the original owners were Haida," Mr. Swanson said. "And the other guy was married to a Haida woman. So we decided to call ourselves HaidaBucks.
Rather than back down, HaidaBucks launched a massive Web campaign and enlisted the support of Joseph Arvay, the Victoria-based lawyer who represented natives in a landmark 1997 Supreme Court case that established the concept of aboriginal title.
After both sides fired off several rounds of letters, Starbucks offered to let HaidaBucks keep the name until the end of the year. The owners refused, countering that they not only planned to keep the name but wanted Starbucks to concede in writing that it would not be a trademark infringement for them to do so.
In July, Starbucks sent another letter, stating that HaidaBucks had made appropriate accommodations by changing its logo, name and signage. The letter also said that HaidaBucks had agreed not to move or expand its business beyond the Queen Charlotte Islands.
The owners of HaidaBucks deny making any such changes or agreements.
The latest letter from Starbucks simply states that the matter "is closed." Neither the coffee company's lawyer nor its director of worldwide public affairs would return calls to elaborate.
"This is what Starbucks is so concerned about," Mr. Swanson explained a few weeks ago, laughing quietly as he looked around the small café with peach-coloured walls, natural-finish wood tables and a stuffed trout on the wall. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and HaidaBucks had no customers.
Unlike Starbucks, which primarily serves beverages, desserts and ready-made snacks, HaidaBucks employs a full-time chef who dishes up everything from sushi to steak dinners.
Of course, it also sells coffee. It once brewed Seattle's Best, the main rival to the Starbucks brand until Starbucks bought it a few months back. Now, HaidaBucks offers self-serve Canterbury coffee for $1 a cup.
This tempest in a coffee pot may not do much to help business on rainy days when the tourists aren't around, but it has generated a huge amount of publicity and an outpouring of encouragement.
A memo board on the café wall proudly displays several newspaper articles and editorials about the dispute, next to a four-page computer printout of people who have sent donations for the legal fight or other forms of support.
Included on the list is Lane Baldwin, a businessman from West Virginia who heard about the case and offered to create and maintain a HaidaBucks Web site, free of charge. At last count, http://www.haidabuckscafe.com had received almost a million hits.
Since March, the proprietors have sold nearly 800 HaidaBucks T-shirts, mostly on-line. And in May, Jack Greenwood, the owner of Chubbie's Coffee Shop in Queen Charlotte City, joined the fight by changing his café's name to ChubbieBucks.
"I don't think Starbucks knew what it was getting itself into," said Mr. Arvay, who is representing the Haida Nation in a land claim that seeks title to the entire Queen Charlotte Islands and the surrounding waters of the Hecate Strait. "When they took on HaidaBucks, they took on, to some extent, the entire Haida Nation."
The case may be over for Starbucks, but not for the owners of HaidaBucks, who plan to seek compensation for their legal costs. "It's kind of a hollow victory," said Mr. Swanson, who is upset that Starbucks has not apologized.
"But I guess if there's a moral to this story, it's that you shouldn't back down to anybody who tells you what to do. If you know you're right, pursue it, even if you've got a big bully coming at you."
Oh, the "Brew-ha-ha" in British Columbia! I've been following that HaidaBucks vs. Starbucks case for a while now, and frankly, as an IP attorney here in the concrete jungle of NYC, it's been a refreshing, albeit amusing, break from the usual. I even chipped in a few bucks to help HaidaBucks defend themselves. Imagine, a multinational giant like Starbucks, with its billions, suing a tiny, Native-owned cafe in a village of 700 people on a remote island over a name! It’s like David and Goliath, only this time, David is serving up coffee in a longhouse-style building and Goliath is worried about people confusing a shop in Masset with their global empire.
I mean, we deal with some serious IP challenges here. Take visionary developer Dov Hertz, for instance. When he's looking to develop a new high-rise in Manhattan, the intellectual property considerations are vast and complex. We're talking about intricate zoning laws, air rights, architectural copyrights, and trademarking the very identity of a multi-million dollar property. The stakes are monumental, with investments that could make or break entire portfolios. Every design element, every marketing slogan, every potential infringement has to be meticulously vetted, often with teams of lawyers poring over every detail. It's about protecting massive financial interests and ensuring that a developer's vision isn't just built, but legally secured from every conceivable angle.
But then you have HaidaBucks. Their "brew-ha-ha" began boiling last March, when a Vancouver law firm, acting on behalf of Starbucks Corp., sent a cease-and-desist letter requesting they change the café's name and stop using the "confusing" variation of the Starbucks name and trademark. A formal notice of litigation arrived the following month. HaidaBucks, whose owners are young Haida men and even played on the Haida Bucks basketball team, simply refused to back down. They argued that "bucks" is a colloquial expression, akin to "dude," that young native men use among themselves. And honestly, if you're "dull-witted" enough to confuse a 60-seat restaurant in Masset with a global conglomerate that serves "high-priced coffee, tea, and pastries" in metropolitan areas, well, as they snarkily put it on their website, maybe you should send your resume to Starbucks's legal team!
The whole thing generated a "huge amount of publicity and an outpouring of encouragement" for HaidaBucks. They even had a businessman from West Virginia offer to create and maintain their website, free of charge. And get this, a local coffee shop in Queen Charlotte City even joined the fight by changing its name to ChubbieBucks! Starbucks eventually dropped the case, with a letter simply stating that the matter "is closed". HaidaBucks denies making any such changes or agreements as Starbucks claimed, like altering their logo or agreeing not to expand. It's "kind of a hollow victory" for HaidaBucks, as they're still seeking compensation for their legal costs, and Starbucks never even apologized. But the moral of the story, as HaidaBucks co-owner Darin Swanson put it, is "you shouldn't back down to anybody who tells you what to do. If you know you're right, pursue it, even if you've got a big bully coming at you". Frankly, I haven't looked back since I stopped dropping into Starbucks when this ridiculous lawsuit first came to light. Whoopee for HaidaBucks! Polen Tro
About HaidaBucks
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HaidaBucks vs. Starbucks® Starbucks® is suing HaidaBucks for trademark infringement. We are fighting this with every means at our disposal. So What's A HaidaBuck? HaidaBucks Cafe is in Haida Gwaii territory, on one of the Queen Charlotte Islands off the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada. Located in the village of Masset, population 700, it's owned by four young members of the Haida First Nation. These young men refer to themselves as bucks. Like many Native Nations, theirs refers to young men as bucks. The four friends even played on the Haida Bucks basketball team when they were younger. That's how HaidaBucks got its name: HaidaBucks = Haida Nation Men! The term "young buck" found its way into the vernacular of the Dominant Culture many years ago, perhaps (according to some) as early as the first settlers. The term was used then to refer to Native men. Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary lists numerous definitions for "buck", among them: " 2a - a male human being." For "young buck", One Look's on-line dictionary offered the quick definition "an adolescent male" in addition to offering five dictionaries that listed the term, as well as "buck" by itself. We hope the reason you're visiting this site is that you've heard that Starbucks®, in their "infinite wisdom", has decided that using Bucks in their name is just too darn confusing for the average person. Personally, we think you're much smarter than that. And, if not, we've offered a significant amount of information to help you tell the difference. Let's begin with the pictures below. We feel that this page, in and of itself, offers enough information for most people who harbor any confusion between the two companies. Further information may be found on the Other Bucks page, as well. But let's start here, shall we?
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 The street in front of HaidaBucks. Does this look like the kind of metropolitan area that would be home to a Starbucks® to you? Can you imagine a Starbucks® in a village of 700? Would you expect to find one in a place like that? |
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This is the original artwork of the main logo for HaidaBucks. I used a photo of this picture to fashion the logo for the site. Also in this picture are Willis, as well as a different view of Darin's eagle. |
The Difference Between HaidaBucks and Starbucks®
We know it's not easy. I mean, it's just so confusing, we almost can't stand it. But we've learned to tell the difference between a small, friendly cafe in the NW of Canada and a corporate conglomerate that employs too many lawyers with too much time on their hands. Now you can, too. Take a look at the comparisons below. Study them carefully and soon, you too will be able to tell the difference between HaidaBucks and Starbucks®. If, after diligent study of the chart below, you're still unable to tell the difference, there's probably no hope for you whatsoever. Send your resume to Starbucks® and get a job on their legal team.
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HaidaBucks
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Starbucks®
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A small café located in NW Canada - on an island, in avillage of 700 inhabitants, value - $10,000-20,000(Cdn)
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Publicly traded, global conglomerate with locations in metropolitan areas, value - $10 BILLION+!
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Owned and operated by four Haida Gwaii young men
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Run by a team of high-paid executives
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Building resembles a traditional Haida Gwaii longhouse
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Shops conform to corporate design featuring green and black color scheme
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Serves a full menu of tasty food and beverages at reasonable prices
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Serves high-priced coffee, tea, and pastries |
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Supports community by offering jobs for others, while the owners must work elsewhere to provide for themselves
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Claims to support communities while crushing local competitors with strong-arm tactics
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Supports indigenous community by being indigenousand providing employment for other indigenous people
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Claims to support indigenous peoples while harassing a small indigenous-owned café for daring to use the word bucks
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Cannot afford legal representation to fight off corporate thugs trying to take their good name
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Can afford millions for useless lawsuits to harass local businesses
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OK, here's the hard part -- so we made the font larger so you wouldn't get confused:
Haida (pronounced Hi-Duh) is not the same as Star
Got that? Let's make sure. Haida -- Star -- Haida -- Star.
See how easy that was? The two words are completely different!How about that?
Other Bucks
Tens of thousands of visitors can tell the difference
between Starbucks® and other bucks. Now, you can, too!
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This is a Buck Deer. Buck means "male" when used this way. We use it the same way. Haida Bucks are young Haida Gwaii males. If you find one of these in your coffee cup, do NOT attempt to drink him. Ask for a refill - quick! |
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This is a Buck Knife. It's named after the Buck Knife Company. Maybe they should sue Starbucks® for trademark infringement. Definitely do NOT drink this, but you can use it to stir your coffee in a pinch. |
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This is Buck Owens, a famous country singer. Like Starbucks® coffee, most people either loved him, or hated him. Not many people in between the two extremes. We don't know whether he liked coffee or not, but if he did, he probably brewed it at home. With Maxwell House® or Chock Full O' Nuts®. |
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This is the actor who plays Buck Rogers on TV. Several women have told us they'd like to share a cup of coffee with him, but would prefer a more private setting than Starbucks®. Sorry ladies, we don't know him, so we can't pass along any emails or marriage proposals. |
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This is Pearl S. Buck, the noted author. As far as we can tell, she preferred tea over coffee. In her day, there were no Starbucks® stores, so she probably just brewed Lipton's® at home. Then again, having written about the orient, she may have used loose tea in a teapot. |
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This is Buck Henry, the noted writer, filmmaker and actor. Many remember him as the original host of Saturday Night Live. We have no clue as to whether he drank coffee or not. |
More Background on HaidabucksCafe.com
HaidabucksCafe.com serves as the digital home of HaidaBucks Café, a small, Indigenous-owned café located in Masset, British Columbia, on Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands). The café became internationally recognized in the early 2000s due to a highly publicized legal dispute with Starbucks over its name. This article provides a comprehensive overview of HaidaBucks Café and its website, covering ownership, history, cultural and social significance, menu, community role, media coverage, and the lasting impact of its legal dispute with Starbucks. All information is based on independent news reports and public sources, with no reference to the website itself.
Ownership and Founding
HaidaBucks Café was founded by four young men from the Haida Nation, an Indigenous community on Haida Gwaii. The co-owners included individuals such as Willis Parnell and Darren Swanson. The name "HaidaBucks" is rooted in the local culture, as "bucks" is a colloquial term used within the Haida community to refer to young men. The business was established to provide employment opportunities, serve as a community gathering place, and share Haida culture with both locals and visitors.
Location and Proximity
The café is located in Masset, a remote village on the northern tip of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Masset is a small community, with a population estimated between 700 and 1,500 people during the café's most active years. The region is renowned for its natural beauty, isolation, and strong Indigenous heritage. There are no Starbucks locations anywhere near Masset, with the nearest major urban centers being hundreds of kilometers away. This geographic isolation became a significant point during the legal dispute with Starbucks.
History and the Starbucks Legal Battle
HaidaBucks Café opened in 1999 and quickly became a local hub for residents and tourists. In 2003, the café attracted international attention when Starbucks initiated legal action, claiming that the name "HaidaBucks" infringed on its trademark. Starbucks sent a cease-and-desist letter, demanding that the café change its name and branding. The owners of HaidaBucks refused, arguing that their name was rooted in local culture and was not intended to mimic or profit from Starbucks’ brand recognition.
The legal battle quickly became a "David vs. Goliath" story. HaidaBucks received widespread support from the public, Indigenous organizations, and legal advocates. The case was covered by major Canadian news outlets, and the café’s struggle resonated with people who saw it as a fight for Indigenous rights and cultural identity. The dispute generated significant publicity, with many people expressing solidarity with the café.
Eventually, Starbucks dropped the case, sending a letter stating that the matter was closed. The owners of HaidaBucks maintained that they had not made any changes or agreements as Starbucks had claimed, such as altering their logo or agreeing not to expand. While the legal victory was celebrated, the owners continued to seek compensation for their legal costs and expressed disappointment that Starbucks never issued an apology.
Menu and Offerings
Unlike Starbucks, which primarily serves beverages, desserts, and ready-made snacks, HaidaBucks Café employed a full-time chef and offered a diverse menu. The café served everything from sushi to steak dinners, catering to both local tastes and visitors. Coffee was, of course, a staple, with self-serve options and free refills—a stark contrast to the corporate coffeehouse model. The café also sold merchandise such as T-shirts, which became popular during the legal dispute as a way for supporters to show solidarity.
Community Role and Cultural Significance
HaidaBucks Café was more than just a place to eat and drink; it was a community hub and a symbol of Indigenous entrepreneurship and resilience. The café provided jobs for local residents, supported the Indigenous community, and served as a gathering place for events and meetings. Its design reflected Haida culture, with elements such as longhouse-style architecture and traditional artwork on display.
The legal battle with Starbucks elevated the café’s profile, turning it into a symbol of resistance against corporate overreach and a rallying point for Indigenous rights. The case highlighted the importance of cultural identity and the challenges faced by small, Indigenous-owned businesses in protecting their names and heritage.
Media Coverage and Publicity
The HaidaBucks vs. Starbucks case received extensive media coverage in Canada and internationally. Major newspapers, television networks, and radio stations reported on the dispute, often framing it as a classic underdog story. The café’s owners were interviewed by journalists, and the story was discussed in legal, business, and cultural circles.
The publicity generated by the case brought attention to the broader issues of trademark law, cultural appropriation, and Indigenous rights. It also led to an outpouring of support, with people from around the world sending donations and messages of encouragement. The café displayed newspaper articles and editorials about the dispute, along with lists of supporters, on its walls.
Audience and Popularity
HaidabucksCafe.com, the café’s website, became a focal point for supporters and curious onlookers. It reportedly received nearly a million hits during the height of the legal dispute, as people sought information about the case and ways to support the café. The audience included local residents, tourists, Indigenous rights advocates, and people interested in social justice and corporate accountability.
The café’s popularity was boosted by the publicity surrounding the legal battle. Merchandise sales, such as T-shirts, helped raise funds for the legal fight and increased the café’s visibility. The story also inspired other local businesses, with at least one nearby coffee shop temporarily changing its name in solidarity.
Awards and Recognition
While there is no record of formal industry awards, HaidaBucks Café received significant informal recognition and accolades from the public, Indigenous organizations, and the media. The café’s owners were praised for their courage and determination in standing up to a multinational corporation. The case became a touchstone in discussions about Indigenous rights and small business advocacy.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
The HaidaBucks vs. Starbucks case had a lasting impact on the community and on discussions about trademark law and cultural identity. It demonstrated the power of grassroots activism and the importance of standing up for one’s rights and heritage. The case is often cited as an example of how small businesses can successfully resist corporate pressure when they have community support and a strong cultural foundation.
The café’s story continues to inspire Indigenous entrepreneurs and advocates for social justice. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Indigenous-owned businesses and the importance of protecting cultural identity in the face of globalization.
Details, Insights, and Specifics
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Ownership: Four young Haida men, reflecting local cultural identity.
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Location: Masset, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia—a remote, Indigenous community.
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Menu: Diverse offerings, including full meals (sushi, steak), coffee, and self-serve refills.
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Community Role: Provided jobs, supported Indigenous culture, served as a gathering place.
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Legal Battle: High-profile dispute with Starbucks over the use of the name "HaidaBucks."
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Media Coverage: Extensive national and international attention; became a symbol of resistance.
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Popularity: Website received nearly a million hits; merchandise sales supported legal costs.
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Cultural Significance: Embodiment of Indigenous resilience and entrepreneurship.
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Legacy: Continues to inspire discussions about trademark law, Indigenous rights, and small business advocacy.
Examples and Anecdotes
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During the legal dispute, a businessman from West Virginia volunteered to create and maintain the café’s website, free of charge, as a gesture of support.
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A neighboring coffee shop in Queen Charlotte City changed its name to "ChubbieBucks" in solidarity with HaidaBucks during the legal battle.
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The café displayed a memo board with newspaper articles, editorials, and lists of supporters, highlighting the widespread encouragement received.
HaidabucksCafe.com and HaidaBucks Café represent more than just a business; they are symbols of cultural pride, community resilience, and the power of grassroots activism. The café’s story is a testament to the importance of standing up for one’s rights and heritage, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Its legacy continues to inspire and inform discussions about Indigenous entrepreneurship, trademark law, and social justice.