Archaeologica.org

Mexican govt: Starbucks owes us


This Aug. 1, 2006 file photo shows a cup of Starbucks coffee in Freeport, Maine

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government says it has notified Starbucks Corp. that Mexico is owed intellectual property rights for a line of coffee mugs showing pre-Hispanic images.

Starbucks says it is working with Mexico to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. It says the mugs have been removed from its shop shelves pending the discussions.

The mugs show images of the Aztec calendar stone and the Pyramid of the Moon from the pre-Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan, near Mexico City.

The government archaeological agency said Wednesday it will decide by next week whether Starbucks should pay any fees.

A company statement says the supplier of the mugs felt it made good faith efforts to offer payment and obtain permits.

http://money.canoe.ca/News/Other/2010/0 ... 11-ap.html

The Mexican Govt is 100% correct in going for the Starbucks jugular.

Starbucks have a whole department of gorillas in suits that comb the business world for any hint that anyone is making a penny from anything remotely to do with Starbucks.

Click Here to see some of their handiwork

I'm not sure about Mexican copyright law but it seems logical that Aztec images pre-date it in any case.