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Business

Dunkin’ Donuts lays claim to ‘best coffee in America’ trademark

Lots of brewers brag about having the best coffee in America. But Dunkin’ Donuts now wants the exclusive rights to the slogan.

The Canton coffee chain last week applied for the trademark “Best Coffee in America” with the US Patent and Trademark office. Records show it is one of more than 100 trademarks the company has sought, but most of the others are for specific products like “Coffee Coolatta” rather than claims of superiority.

Comments

Really Dunkin? Self-praise is no praise so please don't go there. A little too much "sugar" coating for me. Your coffee is bland. Your coffee is totally lacking in taste, and has none of the rich aroma that is the hallmark of a good cup of coffee much less the boastful "best coffee in America!" You do not have my vote. Dunkin' Donuts lost my business long ago when Dunkin customer service reps had no explanation for the watered-down product that is being passed off every day to millions of Americans, most sitting like good puppies in their idling cars waiting to give you their money. My vote for the "best coffee in America" is reserved for coffee that is rich in both flavor, aroma, and is served, not in styrofoam, but a real mug, and is found in many small coffee shops throughout America every day.

They want to trademark an opinion statement? Maybe they have a legit claim to most franchises dedicated to coffee, but they can bite me if they think I'm going to change my opinion that my wife makes the best coffee I've ever had.

I don't think you should be able to trademark commonly used phrases. That seems like a suppression of free speech. What if 99 % of Americans thought that Starbucks (or Chock Full o' Nuts in a can) was the best coffee in America. They wouldn't be allowed to say so?