Buddakan, a trendy pan-Asian restaurant with branches in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and New York, is suing Buddachen, a trendy pan-Asian restaurant that opened in Brookline last month, for trademark infringement. In the complaint, posted on Universal Hub, Buddakan charges that the public is “likely to be confused, mistaken, or deceived” by the similarly-named spots, and asks the judge to order Buddachen to change its name and pay Buddakan all the money it’s earned thus far. Should this suit go to trial, Buddachen owner Shun Li Chen’s pre-opening statement to the Brookline TAB that his restaurant’s menu would include dishes “inspired by New-York-style Chinese food” will probably not be an asset.
Here’s the interesting thing about all this: Buddakan is owned by Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr. In 2008, Starr opened French bistro Parc in Philly’s tony Rittenhouse Square, despite the fact that another Parc Bistro was already open in nearby Schwenksville. In August, Starr named his new pizzeria Pizzeria Stella, despite a Stella Pizza located in nearby Cherry Hill. Another fun fact: until recently, Cincinnati had its own Buddakhan restaurant. The Cinicinnati spot was never sued. Could visions of a Boston Buddakan be behind Starr’s suing of Buddachen?
What Would Buddha Do? [Universal Hub]
Previously: Goodbye Jae’s Cafe, Hello Buddachen
Starr Names Pizzeria
