Red Lion Hotels parent RLH Corp. has sued Hard Rock
International, alleging that Hard Rock plagiarized many elements for its new
Reverb select-service brand from Red Lion's Hotel RL brand.
Red Lion claims that Hard Rock copied the "trade dress,"
or many design and branding elements, from Hotel RL. Among other items, Red
Lion cites amenities such as a "prominent coffee bar," an open stage
where local artists can perform with stadium-type seating nearby, and
self-service kiosks as characteristics Reverb has copied from Hotel RL. Both
brands are geared largely towards millennial guests.
Additionally, Red Lion cites Hard Rock's employment of the
Gettys Group as further proof of infringement. Red Lion also used the Gettys
Group when launching Hotel RL in 2015.
Red Lion filed its complaint in a New York federal court. It
is seeking an injunction and legal fees as well as profits from the Reverb
chain.
"We are not appreciative of Hard Rock's wholesale
infringement of our trade dress with he Gettys Group's help," said RLH
Corp. CEO Greg Mount. "RLH Corporation welcomes fair competition, but
infringement of our trade dress is unfair and illegal."
Hard Rock said the claims are without merit.
The Reverb brand was announced last month. Hard Rock didn't
disclose specifics on hotel openings or potential locations.
Red Lion opened its first Hotel RL in Baltimore's Inner
Harbor in 2015 and has since added six more hotels.The brand has properties in
Brooklyn, Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C.