A legal battle is brewing between Nestlé and Seattle Strong, a small coffee company. Nestlé, a giant in the food and beverage industry, has filed a petition to change Seattle Strong's name. The claim is based on the argument that the name is too similar to its own brand, Seattle's Best, which it acquired recently. Nestlé believes this similarity could confuse customers and harm its brand's distinctiveness.
• Seattle Strong was founded in 2017 as a class project by Evan Oeflein at the University of Washington.
• The company has gained popularity, with products available in 350 stores across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
• Oeflein has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal fees for the fight against Nestlé.
• He argues that a multinational company should not dictate the use of the name "Seattle" for local businesses.
This case highlights the challenges small businesses face against larger corporations. It raises questions about brand ownership and the rights of local entrepreneurs. The outcome could set a precedent for future disputes over business names and trademarks.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.