IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Cathedral City has won a dispute with a business regarding its improper use of the city’s trademarks and logo.
Fantasy Balloon Flights in Palm Springs repeatedly used those items in its advertising for an event competing with the annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, according to a statement on Cathedral City’s website.
Cathedral City filed a lawsuit in U.S District Court asking it to stop that practice, but its request for a preliminary injunction became moot when Fantasy Balloon Flights stopped using the materials voluntarily.
In a ruling issued Sept. 4, U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes said Fantasy Balloon Flights had informed the court it stopped the unauthorized adverting as soon as it learned of the lawsuit being filled.
“Our legal action achieved exactly what we intended—stopping the trademark misuse that was creating confusion for residents, sponsors, and potential visitors,” said Ryan Hunt, the festival’s communications and events manager, in the statement, “The federal court confirmed that Fantasy Balloon Flights has completely abandoned these deceptive practices and made binding promises to never resume them.”
Fantasy Balloon Flights’ contract as the festival’s third-party operator ended last year after it lost a competitive bidding process to a competitor, according to the statement.
Mandatory settlement discussions will be held no later than Oct. 31 before Magistrate Judge David T. Bristow.
This year’s festival is scheduled to be held November 21–23.
