Attorneys for the worldwide Hard Rock Cafe and Moab's Slick Rock Cafe are maintaining a stony silence about the settlement of their trademark dispute.
But the Slick Rock Cafe was still answering to that name Wednesday, two days after an order affirming the settlement was filed in federal court.U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell signed the order dismissing the Hard Rock Cafe's lawsuit against the Slick Rock Cafe after the two sides came to terms.
The Hard Rock Cafe Licensing Corp. filed the lawsuit against the Moab eatery in June, charging enfringement of its world-famous trademark. The chain of 78 Hard Rock Cafes around the world spent $5.6 million in 1996 just to promote the Hard Rock name and logo.
The Slick Rock Cafe was attempting to "trade off the good will and fame of the plaintiff's mark," Hard Rock lawyers contended in the suit.
But Slick Rock Cafe attorneys said they were prepared to do legal battle in defense of the little guy, arguing that the name was based on Moab's world famous slick rock mountain biking terrain.
Attorneys announced they had reached a settlement several weeks ago but declined to disclose the terms. They were still not talking even after the case was formally dismissed this week.
"We entered into a confidential agreement at the request of the plaintiffs (Hard Rock)," said Slick Rock attorney Dan McConkie. "All I can say is that it was settled amicably."
But will the Slick Rock Cafe be allowed to keep its name? McConkie suggested the question could be answered by a visit to Moab.