HaidaBucks vs. Starbucks®

Starbucks® is suing HaidaBucks for trademark infringement. We are fighting this with every means at our disposal. (Read about the Legal Battle here.)

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?

Here is the menu board for HaidaBucks. Note the salads, subs, burgers and sandwiches. While it is true that the other guys serve some prepackaged salads, have you ever seen them offer burgers and subs at a Starbucks®? If they start now, we're suing them for confusing our customers!

The front view of HaidaBucks, which was designed along the lines of a traditional Haida Gwaii long house. Does this look like a Starbucks® to you? And remember, we're talking a shop that's in a community of 700! Starbucks® serves that many cups of coffee on a daily basis in a slow store!

Here's an interior shot of HaidaBucks. Note the extensive use of hardwood, wood tables, chairs and benches. Note the lack of green and black, the lack of the mermaid. Does this look like your average Starbucks®? Are you confused?

Another interior shot. This one shows the Airpot coffee dispensers out where anyone can serve themselves a free refill. Ever seen a Starbucks® that did this? Me neither.

Darin's eagle died from electrocution by a power line. He had the magnificent bird mounted in a "forever proud" stance. Behind it is a Killer Whale, painted on a section of log in the traditional Haida Gwaii style. I doubt you'll ever see decorations like this in a Starbucks®