Starbucks v. Wolfe's Borough Coffee (Charbucks)
Starbucks Corp. v. Wolfe's Borough Coffee, Inc. · 2013 · 2d Cir.
What happened
A small New Hampshire roaster sold a dark roast called "Charbucks". Starbucks pursued dilution claims across more than a decade of litigation and ultimately did not prevail.
The money
No reliable public figure. This dispute matters for the rule it settled rather than for a damages number, and many trademark matters resolve on confidential terms.
What it means for your business
Two things at once: a very large brand will pursue a very small one, and a small defendant can win. Neither party enjoyed a decade of legal fees. Picking a name that gestures at a famous mark invites exactly this.