‘Misguided’ airport rebrand by Port of Oakland enjoined as likely to confuse
( November 12, 2024, 10:10 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: Plans by the Port of Oakland to rebrand the Oakland International Airport as the “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” were iced by a US judge in California, a win for the City and County of San Francisco. San Francisco has operated San Francisco International Airport since 1954 and is the owner of a federal trademark registration for the same in class 39 for “airport services.” In granting a preliminary injunction, US Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson declared “San Francisco International Airport” a valid and protectable mark and said a majority of the AMF Inc. v. Sleekcraft Boats factors for a finding of affiliation confusion support the plaintiffs. The court stopped short of finding bad faith intent by Oakland, however, concluding that although the rebrand was “misguided” the defendant submitted adequate evidence that the name change was intended to address the problem “that many air travelers don’t know where Oakland is.” Additionally, San Francisco’s theories of initial interest or point of sale confusion appear to lack merit, Hixson said.See attached file....
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