SPOKANE, Wash.
RLH Corporation announced the filing of a lawsuit against Hard Rock Cafe International in federal court in New York. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Hard Rock copied RLH Corporation's distinctive trade dress for its Hotel RL brand, which is protected by federal trade dress law.
Over the past few years, RLH Corporation has built a brand focused on the millennial mindset for its Hotel RL chain. The brand consciously evokes RLH Corporation's Pacific Northwest heritage, with elements that include a prominent coffee bar; a Living Stage, where local artists, musicians, activists, civic leaders, and engaged citizens can showcase their projects and points of view; "The Steps," a communal, stadium-like seating area across from The Living Stage, where hotel guests and visitors can relax, plug in and work, or take in a Living Stage performance; and a front-desk experience that replaces the traditional across-the-counter room check-in process with an option to bypass reception and check in via self-service kiosks or directly from their mobile devices.
RLH Corporation discovered that Hard Rock had decided to launch a competing brand - called Reverb - also aimed at millennials, which RLH Corporation believes plagiarizes the Hotel RL signature elements. It also learned that Hard Rock had hired the same branding group used by RLH Corporation to help define the Hotel RL brand - The Gettys Group.
"While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it is indeed understandable that Hard Rock would seek to imitate our brand's success in this market, we are not appreciative of Hard Rock's wholesale infringement of our trade dress with The Gettys Group's help," Greg Mount, RLH Corporation President and CEO said. "Hard Rock's infringement is particularly troubling in light of its aggressive litigation strategy to protect what it considers to be its own trade dress. RLH Corporationwelcomes fair competition, but infringement of our trade dress is unfair and illegal. We are prepared to defend our brands and will pursue all avenues available to RLH Corporation to ensure that all of our brands are protected."
RLH Corporation's complaint seeks compensatory damages, an injunction, Hard Rock's profits from its Reverb chain, and legal fees and costs.
In addition to pursuing a lawsuit against Hard Rock, RLH Corporation is enforcing its rights and remedies under its contract with The Gettys Group which it believes is in breach given the similarity in work produced for Hard Rock.
