Trademark Trolls Threaten The Awhanee

[FotoBandi2]

This story has indeed sparked a lot of outrage:

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www.latimes.com

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www.latimes.com

While I don't have all the facts, it appears that Delaware North Co. lost out on their bid to renew their concessions at Yosemite. They then claimed that their prior contract gave them the rights to the names of The Ahwanee, Curry Village, Yosemite Falls Lodge, and The Wawona. They claimed trademarks on these, and other, names, and now are seeking $50 million for the rights. They even contend they can trademark "Yosemite National Park"!

Apparently this is a pattern; they've done the same at Phantom Ranch, and at Kennedy Space Center, "trademarking" Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The NPS is changing the names while this works its way through the courts or negotiations. On March 1st Aramark takes over. We have a reservation at the Yosemite Falls Lodge and dinner at The Ahwanee for the weekend of March 11th. Hope it is not chaotic.

 

[RedFox88]

They can't claim owning the naming of the park since Yosemite isn't the name of the tribe in the area though that's what we thought they were named. Yosemite means killer!

 

[foot]

They can't claim owning the naming of the park since Yosemite isn't the name of the tribe in the area though that's what we thought they were named. Yosemite means killer!

Trademark is funny, it'seems possible that could happen. "Apple" is trademarked, originally the company apple had to get permission to use "apple", from a music company

http://lowendmac.com/2014/whats-in-a-name-apple-corp-vs-apple-computer/

 

[PhotoFactor]

I went to the Delaware North website and provided a comment on their "Contact" link. I told them in no uncertain terms that they were a disgusting company and I hope the US Govt escorts their sorry a$$e$ out of all federal concession contracts.

 

[dr jim]

Just playing devils advocate. The National Park Service made them buy the copy rights as a condition of their contract. Seems like there is enough greed to go around.

 

[Tugela]

Just playing devils advocate. The National Park Service made them buy the copy rights as a condition of their contract. Seems like there is enough greed to go around.

--
Just for fun!
Jim

They had to buy the assets of the previous concessionaire, and probably they unilaterally decided that the names were part of those assets. I would think that the assets in question were really physical assets, such as tables, beds, kitchenware, stuff like that. The names and the actual structures would belong to the Parks service, and always did.

In any case, as far as the name is concerned, the federal government can exercise eminent domain and just tell them to go stuff it. The government has that power.

 

[PhotoFactor]

Just playing devils advocate. The National Park Service made them buy the copy rights as a condition of their contract. Seems like there is enough greed to go around.

You know that or you are speculating that?

And if true, why would they want the trademark after losing a concessionaire contract?

I don't see any good justification for that.

 

[Rick Knepper]

This story has indeed sparked a lot of outrage:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...tel-yosemite-name-changes-20160115-story.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-yosemite-ahwahnee-hotel-20160114-story.html

While I don't have all the facts, it appears that Delaware North Co. lost out on their bid to renew their concessions at Yosemite. They then claimed that their prior contract gave them the rights to the names of The Ahwanee, Curry Village, Yosemite Falls Lodge, and The Wawona. They claimed trademarks on these, and other, names, and now are seeking $50 million for the rights. They even contend they can trademark "Yosemite National Park"!

Apparently this is a pattern; they've done the same at Phantom Ranch, and at Kennedy Space Center, "trademarking" Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The NPS is changing the names while this works its way through the courts or negotiations. On March 1st Aramark takes over. We have a reservation at the Yosemite Falls Lodge and dinner at The Ahwanee for the weekend of March 11th. Hope it is not chaotic.

 

[tr573]

This story has indeed sparked a lot of outrage:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...tel-yosemite-name-changes-20160115-story.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-yosemite-ahwahnee-hotel-20160114-story.html

While I don't have all the facts, it appears that Delaware North Co. lost out on their bid to renew their concessions at Yosemite. They then claimed that their prior contract gave them the rights to the names of The Ahwanee, Curry Village, Yosemite Falls Lodge, and The Wawona. They claimed trademarks on these, and other, names, and now are seeking $50 million for the rights. They even contend they can trademark "Yosemite National Park"!

Apparently this is a pattern; they've done the same at Phantom Ranch, and at Kennedy Space Center, "trademarking" Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The NPS is changing the names while this works its way through the courts or negotiations. On March 1st Aramark takes over. We have a reservation at the Yosemite Falls Lodge and dinner at The Ahwanee for the weekend of March 11th. Hope it is not chaotic.