The combat over a Bay Space airport title change simply took a authorized flip.
San Francisco filed go well with towards Oakland to cease the proposed title change of Oakland Worldwide Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland Worldwide Airport.
Final week, the Port of Oakland’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to proceed with the change even after San Francisco officers threatened to sue, arguing “trademark infringement.”
“These two names are clearly related and really more likely to trigger confusion and thus makes for a transparent infringement case,” San Francisco Metropolis Atty. David Chiu stated. In accordance with public data, San Francisco Worldwide Airport was first registered as a trademark in 2012, was renewed as a trademark in 2022 and continues to be in good standing.
Oakland says the title change would deliver geographic consciousness to its airport and assist maintain 30,000 jobs and $1.6 billion in income. Port officers cited a examine displaying 30% of home vacationers are unaware of the airport’s location and stated that has harmed their capability to supply sturdy route choices.
However Chiu argued the change would harm the San Francisco airport.
“From our perspective, Oakland is trying to revenue off of San Francisco’s investments of billions of {dollars} over a long time in our fame, companies and model,” he stated. “That is already beginning to create confusion and financial hurt to SFO.”
A lawsuit isn’t excellent, Chiu stated, however he famous the town has tried to barter different names with Oakland to no avail.
“They first proposed this on March 29. … They gave us half-hour of advance warning,” Chiu stated. Extra requests to satisfy have gone unanswered, he stated.
Oakland Worldwide Airport officers stated in an announcement to The Instances the renaming doesn’t infringe on SFO’s registered trademark.
“We’ll vigorously defend our proper to assert our spot on the San Francisco Bay,” officers stated. “We’re standing up for Oakland and our East Bay neighborhood.”
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao declined to remark Thursday however beforehand expressed assist for the title change. In an earlier information launch, she stated the change was about “inviting vacationers to find all that Oakland and the area have to supply.”
Because the preliminary board vote, at the least one airline has already adopted the brand new title in its flight to the Bay Space. Azore Airways, a Portuguese firm, lists San Francisco Bay Oakland Worldwide Airport as one of many choices that prospects can choose if they’re looking for flights into San Francisco.
Along with SFO, different San Francisco companies have the title of the town in federally registered emblems. However Bruce Sunstein, a patent legal professional and mental property strategist, stated trademark infringement will depend on “whether or not the utilization creates a chance of confusion.”
“It could appear to me that San Francisco would have an inexpensive argument right here,” Sunstein stated.
It’s not clear how lengthy the lawsuit would possibly drag out, however Chiu made it clear the town is exploring all authorized choices to stop Oakland’s preliminary vote of approval from continuing to a second — and closing — vote set in Could.
“We’re going to litigate this so long as it takes,” he stated.
