It was a caffeine-charged Hollywood whodunnit: who created the “Dumb Starbucks” coffee shop that popped up and started serving free drinks from the corner of an otherwise uncelebrated California shopping centre.

After several days of speculation, the news came: the shop was a Canadian comedian’s publicity stunt.

Nathan Fielder told a crowd he was pursuing the "American dream" — before acknowledging that he planned to use it on his Comedy Central show Nathan For You.

0 of 3

Dumb Starbucks caught the attention of the real Starbucks. "While we appreciate the humour, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark," spokeswoman Laurel Harper said.

At the front counter, an FAQs sheet said the store was shielded by “parody law”.

Mr Fielder told a news conference he did not need Starbucks’ permission and he was glad they had not pursued a “case they know they can’t win”.

PA