Starbucks, Trademark Law and the Exit 6 Incident

Abstract

To better educate the next generation of business professionals who will regularly engage in decision-making that requires an understanding and an appreciation for the role of law in the corporate setting, there is a growing need for innovative assignments that challenge students preconceived notions and perspectives of the law. The goal of the Starbucks – Exit 6 Assignment is to emphasize important concepts of trademark dilution law to undergraduate business law students. Students not only gain valuable insight into essential trademark principles of intellectual property law, but also learn how to apply a critical eye to legal events reflected in the media. Above all, students begin to understand how biases, mistaken beliefs about the law, and the absence of comprehensive information may dramatically hinder their capacities to critically evaluate legal disputes.

Keywords: business law