Mexico: Starbucks owes for pre-Hispanic images

Mexico City The Mexican government has notified Starbucks Corp. that Mexico is owed intellectual property rights for a line of coffee mugs showing pre-Hispanic images, according to the Associated Press.

Starbucks said it is working with Mexico to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. It said the mugs have been removed from its shop shelves pending the discussions.

The mugs show images of the Aztec calendar stone and the Pyramid of the Moon from the pre-Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan, near Mexico City.

The government archaeological agency said Wednesday it will decide by next week whether Starbucks should pay any fees.