A federal judge has ordered San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK) to stop using ”San Francisco” in its new name amid a trademark infringement lawsuit with the city and county of San Francisco.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson issued a temporary order in favor of the copyright violation argument as San Francisco has spent millions of dollars developing a brand for its airport, which uses the IATA airport code SFO.
The court order stated that “San Francisco is likely to prevail on its claim that the new name of the Oakland airport uses San Francisco’s Mark in a way that falsely implies affiliation, connection, and association.”
The judge’s motion for a preliminary injunction prevents Port of Oakland officials from using, displaying, or registering the name or trademark “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” in connection with any products or services, including advertising, marketing, or other promotion, distribution or sales, according to the court order.
The preliminary injunction is a temporary ruling that prevents the Port of Oakland from using the new name until the judge can issue a final ruling.
In April, the City of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the Port of Oakland after Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of changing the airport’s name. The trademark infringement lawsuit was submitted to protect SFO’s trademark and prevent widespread traveler confusion.
“We had hoped Oakland would come to its senses, but their refusal to collaborate on an acceptable alternative name leaves us no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect SFO’s trademark,” said David Chiu, City Attorney for San Francisco, in a news release.
“This new name will cause confusion and chaos for travelers, which will damage the travel industry for the entire region. We are already seeing at least one airline use the new name, indicating that SFO has already suffered economic harm.”
Name Change
In May, Oakland Airport changed its name from “Metropolitan Oakland International Airport” to include “San Francisco Bay” despite the lawsuit by San Francisco.
The Port of Oakland released a statement in response to the lawsuit. “San Francisco’s City Attorney’s decision to pursue litigation is an attempt to stop consumer education, prevent expanded air travel options for Bay Area residents and visitors, and is a misguided use of San Francisco taxpayer dollars,” said Port Attorney Mary Richardson.
Richardson added that the name change “accurately describes OAK’s geographic location on the Bay and presents the airport as an additional choice for travel into the San Francisco Bay Area.”