Family-owned Italian restaurant ordered to change its name

25th February 2010, 11:59am

A court has ruled that a family-owned Italian restaurant situated in central London must change its name after it concluded that the trademark of a hotel in Venice had been infringed.

The London Court of Appeal dismissed the family's argument that they have the right to use their own name. The legal battle began in 2006 when Hotel Cipriani filed a lawsuit with the aim of blocking the use of the name.

Paul White, president and chief executive officer of Orient-Express Hotels, said that while they didn't wish to create difficulties for other businesses, they had to protect the "worldwide reputation for Hotel 'Cipriani'" after years of "hard work to build it up".

White added: "'Cipriani' is one of the many valuable brands owned by the Company and others should be in no doubt that we will take appropriate action in any part of the world to protect shareholder value when others seek to encroach upon our brands."

Cipriani London must cease to use the name and change it to one that does not infringe any trademark. The restaurant must also publicise the court's decision on its menus and pay costs and damages to the hotel.

The Cipriani family who operate the eatery said they were disappointed with the court's decision: "Our restaurant has operated successfully for nearly six years in London and we do not believe there is any confusion with the Orient's Hotel Cipriani in Venice which has absolutely no operations in the UK.

"This decision does not affect our properties outside of the UK and the Cipriani family continues to own and develop new businesses in countries around the world, in addition to existing operations around Europe, Asia and the United States.

"While we are considering avenues of appeal to the Supreme Court, we are also exploring other potential names for the London restaurant."

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