We are delighted to inform our customers of a major legal victory our company has achieved today after a legal battle over the last five years. The Supreme Court of Germany has found today that an unauthorized restaurant operating in Heidelberg, Germany under the identical name and logo Hard Rock Cafe violates our companies’ well-known trademarks and is also contrary to German unfair competition law when selling merchandise products under the same name and logo. Heidelberg cafe has also been found to be liable to pay damages to our company, the amount of which still needs to be determined. Furthermore, the Supreme Court has referred the case back to the prior instance court in Karlsruhe to decide whether the use of the Hard Rock Cafe logo in connection with the operation of the restaurant establishment in Heidelberg also violates German unfair competition claims. The Supreme Court has stated that in any event the Heidelberg restaurant needs to use clarifications such as disclaiming language making sure that the customers realize that the Heidelberg restaurant is not part of original well-known Hard Rock Café group, either as a company owned-restaurant or franchised location. [more]
The Hard Rock Cafe brand is such a valuable and iconic image of the Hard Rock Group which must be defended. The Hard Rock Group vigorously pursues matters of infringement and unfair competition where individuals unfairly exploit the value of our brand and cause damage to our brand’s value. In this instance, the Heidelberg restaurant has been unfairly exploiting the Hard Rock Café brand for a long time while offering food and merchandise which our customers have complained to us about on numerous occasions as being of poor quality. This confusion is causing extreme brand damage. Thus, we are very pleased with the recognition of brand’s value and reputation and application of the German laws made by the German Supreme Court in this matter.
For any further comments, please contact Coyne PR at +1-973-588-2000.
About Hard Rock International
With a total of 174 venues in 54 countries, including 138 cafes, 17 hotels and 7 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida., as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Las Vegas, San Diego and Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include Johannesburg, San José, Chennai, Istanbul and Tenerife. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Ibiza, Daytona Beach, Palm Springs, Aruba, Riviera Maya, Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. New Hard Rock Casino projects in development include Hungary and Northfield, OH. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com, www.hardrockhotels.com, www.facebook.com/hardrock.