Cafe has to change name after Caribou files suit

BEULAH, Mich. (AP) — A cafe in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula has to change its name after a couple was accused by coffee store chain Caribou Coffee of trademark infringement.

The Grand Rapids Press  reports Eric and Kelly Chorley have to change the name of the Blue Caribou Cafe in Beulah. The coffee store chain claims the names and logos are too similar.

The chain filed suit. An agreement was signed off on by Kelly Chorley that has stiff penalties if conditions are violated by the cafe.

Caribou Coffee said in a statement that it “engaged in this litigation to protect our coffeehouse name and existing trademarks.” The company said it has contributed to a “GoFundMe fundraising page to help with their rebranding efforts.”