Was that a CD you wanted or VD?

[Mulboyne]

I know Sotheby's went after Sazaby (of Starbucks fame) for ripping off their name. Wonder if HMV feel the same way about this Shinjuku joint.

[Taro Toporific]

... Wonder if HMV feel the same way about this Shinjuku joint.

So is HMB (Hot Male Box) a name for transexual store and was it fun?


((HMV vs HMB --- The joke for the folks still learning engrish is that like "R" and "L", the sounds for "V" and "B" are pronounced the same in Japanese.))

[Mulboyne]

I don't think they spent too long coming up with "Hot Men's Box" which is odd because Kabukicho can normally be relied upon to be quite inventive with English.
The place is actually some kind of Manzoku Paradise booking shop to help the lucky punters find their way to a nearby Kyabakura or "Fashion Health". Or, indeed, a new half bar. For an example of what's available there, check out the "Miss Universe" thread.

Pole Dancer

[kamome]

I know Sotheby's went after Sazaby (of Starbucks fame) for ripping off their name. Wonder if HMV feel the same way about this Shinjuku joint.

I thought you were referring to how Starbucks went after Excelsior (Doutor's "upscale" brand) for employing almost the identical green logo. What did Sazaby do to Starbucks?

[Taro Toporific]

I know Sotheby's went after Sazaby (of Starbucks fame) for ripping off their name. Wonder if HMV feel the same way about this Shinjuku joint.

I thought you were referring to how Starbucks went after Excelsior (Doutor's "upscale" brand) for employing almost the identical green logo. What did Sazaby do to Starbucks?

The buggers at Sazaby own the EXCLUSIVE rights to Starbucks in Japan (except for kiosks in bookstores) and threw out my franchise/Japan license application which predated Sazaby's. Arrrrg.


Starbucks Coffee Company Information
... Starbucks Coffee and Sazaby[/ur] combine their marketing skills and know-how to develop a new type of coffee store, offering new lifestyle concepts. ...

[Mulboyne]

Sazaby hooked up with Starbucks and, as you allude, took Doutor to court when the later ripped off their green logo. Doutor settled and now brands Excelsior (initially it was Exceisior) in Blue.

The king of ironies is that Sazabys themseves ripped of the name of Sothebys in GB in an attempt to get some undeserved cachet but Japanese courts found in their favour when Sothebys sued.

[kamome]

Sazaby hooked up with Starbucks and, as you allude, took Dotour to court when the later ripped off their green logo. Dotour settled and now brands Execlsior (or, actually, Exceisior) in Blue.

It still looks like the Starbucks logo even in blue.

[Mulboyne]

vs



Link to "Full" Starbucks logo

Check out the logo at the top of this page for another "unconscious" Excelsior steal

[emperor]

just inside the door:

they actually have a RECOMMENDED SECTION !!

[mr. sparkle]

The buggers at Sazaby own the EXCLUSIVE rights to Starbucks in Japan (except for kiosks in bookstores) and threw out my franchise/Japan license application which predated Sazaby's. Arrrrg.

You were gonna run a 'bucks? That woulda been awesome. Hey, I've got an idear--start your own chain and call it Tarobucks!

ch-CHING!

[Mulboyne]

These gents would like a word

[Mulboyne]

The HMV rip-off sign has been replaced.