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Town of San Francisco is suing the close by metropolis of Oakland over the latter’s plan to alter the airport’s identify to incorporate “San Francisco,” arguing that the proposed identify infringes on trademark and “creates confusion and would trigger chaos’.
San Francisco Metropolis Legal professional David Chiu filed a request federal lawsuit for trademark infringement Thursday, every week after the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners tentatively accredited a plan to rename Metropolitan Oakland Worldwide Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland Worldwide Airport.
The lawsuit alleges that the proposed identify would infringe on San Francisco Worldwide Airport’s (SFO) trademark.
Vacationers arrive at San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, December 21, 2023.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs, FILE
“We had hoped that Oakland would come to its senses, however their refusal to cooperate on a suitable various identify leaves us no alternative however to file a lawsuit to guard SFO’s trademark,” Chiu stated in a press release. rack. “This new identify will trigger confusion and chaos for vacationers, which is able to hurt the journey trade for your entire area.”
Chiu stated at the very least one airline has already began utilizing Oakland’s modified airport identify, “indicating that SFO has already suffered financial hurt.”
“We need to see your entire Bay Space flourish as a tourism vacation spot and increase our providing to guests, however the brand new identify just isn’t a authorized or sensible method to go about this,” he stated.
In a press release to ABC Information, the Port of Oakland denied that the proposed identify change infringes on SFO’s trademark.
“We’ll vigorously defend our proper to assert our place on San Francisco Bay,” the Port of Oakland stated. “We get up for Oakland and our East Bay group.”
The Port of Oakland introduced in a press launch on March 29 that it was contemplating altering the airport’s identify from Metropolitan Oakland Worldwide Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland Worldwide Airport. Town of San Francisco alleged in its lawsuit that the town of Oakland notified the SFO airport director of the proposed identify change solely half-hour earlier than the discharge.
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted unanimously on April 11 to alter the airport’s identify. A second studying is scheduled for Could 9, after which the Port Fee would give its closing approval and workers would then transfer ahead with the formal renaming, the Port of Oakland stated.
Vacationers stroll towards Terminal 2 at Oakland Worldwide Airport on April 12, 2024 in Oakland, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Photographs
“It will enhance inbound vacationers’ geographic consciousness of the airport by highlighting the airport’s location on San Francisco Bay,” Port Fee Chairman Barbara Leslie stated in a press release. rack after the April 11 vote. “This identify will make it clear that OAK is the closest main airport, serving 4.1 million individuals, three nationwide laboratories, the nation’s finest public college and California’s Wine Nation.”
The airport code OAK and visible branding wouldn’t change, the Port of Oakland stated.
Town of San Francisco stated it has raised issues with the town of Oakland that the proposed identify is prone to trigger client confusion, however that Oakland “has refused to touch upon the renaming plan through the three weeks since saying the renaming plan.” metropolis into the ocean,” the town says. lawsuit declared.
“The proposed renaming of Oakland Worldwide Airport may have a detrimental impact on the passenger expertise and create confusion and frustration for vacationers, particularly these from overseas markets,” SFO airport director Ivar Satero stated in a press release. “For these causes, we assist this authorized problem and urge the Port of Oakland to discover a answer that places all Bay Space airport prospects first.”
San Francisco owns the U.S. federal trademark registration for the “San Francisco Worldwide Airport” mark with the primary date of use in commerce in 1954, the lawsuit stated.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive aid to right away halt use of the proposed identify and points orders declaring that Oakland has infringed on SFO’s mark and requiring the town to destroy any supplies containing the brand new identify. The lawsuit additionally seeks unspecified damages and damages.
There have been 11.2 million passengers coming by way of Oakland Worldwide Airport in 2023, whereas San Francisco Worldwide Airport noticed 50 million passengers final 12 months.
San Francisco sues Oakland over proposed airport identify change
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