E.D. PA.Court order
Pennsylvania federal court denies Starbucks bid to dismiss, transfer or stay union trademark suit
U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson on October 2 denied Starbucks' motion to dismiss a declaratory judgment lawsuit brought by Workers United in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The union seeks a ruling that its name and raised-fist logo do not infringe or dilute Starbucks trademarks or infringe its copyrights. The court held that a 2024 memorandum of understanding did not end the live controversy and declined Starbucks' alternative request to transfer or stay the case.
Order (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) → · Reuters, USA Herald, Hoodline
Key points
- Judge Michael Baylson denied Starbucks' motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1), finding a live dispute exists between the parties.U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaReuters
- Workers United seeks declaratory relief of trademark non-infringement, trademark non-dilution, and copyright non-infringement in case 2:26-cv-02202.U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUSA Herald
- Starbucks previously sent a cease-and-desist letter on October 13, 2023, threatening monetary damages over the union's raised-fist cup logo.U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUSA Herald
- The parties dismissed earlier parallel suits in 2025, but Workers United refiled in Pennsylvania after negotiations stalled in 2026.ReutersUSA Herald
- The court declined Starbucks' alternative request to transfer or stay the case, finding it offered no meaningful argument for either remedy.U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Sources4 articles across 4 outlets
Hoodline
Reuters
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
USA Herald