Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Copycat Brands
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Dec 6, 2025 Explore the world of copycat brands that tread a fine legal line. Discover Wumart's rise in China and South Butt's cheeky take on North Face. Hear how Dumb Starbucks sparked debates over parody versus infringement. Learn about Hydrox, the cookie that was overshadowed by Oreo, and its fight for revival. Uncover the intriguing stories behind these brands and the legal wranglings that make them so fascinating. Eavesdrop on the fine balance between imitation and originality!
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Walmart Copycat In China
- In Beijing you can find a retail chain called Walmart that closely resembles the U.S. Walmart.
- Its founder was a Stanford student who built the chain locally and capitalized on low prices and familiar branding.
Dumb Starbucks Parody Stunt
- Comedian Nathan Fielder opened "Dumb Starbucks" using the Starbucks logo plus the word "dumb" and claimed parody protection.
- The stunt drew long lines and media attention but was shut down for lacking health permits.
South Butt Parody Escalates To Lawsuit
- Jimmy Winkleman created South Butt to spoof The North Face and sold out after the dispute made headlines.
- The North Face sued and the settlement forced him to stop using the name, later costing him $65,000 when he pushed boundaries again.