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Dispute Over Zacaffe Brand Name Intensifies
MADRID (Reuters) – The Sicilian coffee company Zicaffe has submitted a formal request to the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIOP) to prevent the fashion conglomerate Inditex from utilizing the name Zacaffe for its recently launched coffee shops. Zicaffe contends that the names are markedly similar, which could lead to consumer confusion.
Zicaffe, a family-run business known for its coffee roasting and exporting, registered its objections to Inditex’s trademark application on December 25, as per official documentation available on the EUIOP’s website.
The company asserts that the closeness of the syllables “zi” in Zicaffe and “za” in Zacaffe creates a significant risk of misunderstanding among consumers, along with potential unfair competitive advantages and damage to the reputation of Zicaffe’s brand.
As of now, Inditex has not publicly addressed the matter, nor has Vito Zichitella, a co-owner and grandson of Zicaffe’s founder, provided additional comments regarding the situation.
Inditex recently inaugurated its first Zacaffe venue in Madrid, strategically positioned within a new Zara Man retail store, as part of a wider initiative aimed at enhancing the customer shopping experience to drive sales growth.
The retail powerhouse, currently the largest publicly traded fast-fashion entity, filed to trademark the Zacaffe name on October 7. Stakeholders wishing to contest the application have until January 10 to voice their objections. The EUIOP’s registration process typically spans several weeks and permits avenues for appeal.
The Zacaffe establishment in Madrid follows Inditex’s earlier explorations of incorporating café spaces in its stores, notably in Paris and Lisbon, where it features local culinary delights, including traditional Portuguese pastries known as pasteis de nata.
According to the company’s announcement on its website, the Zacaffe coffee shops will feature distinct, independent entrances and will be carefully tailored to fit their respective locations.
Inditex’s Expanding Retail Portfolio
In addition to Zara, Inditex manages several other well-known brands such as Bershka, Stradivarius, and Massimo Dutti. The company has also introduced an innovative concept store named El Apartamento in its native Galicia, which includes a dedicated coffee shop area.
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