Carnegie Hall has settled a lawsuit accusing the operator of several Carnegie Diner & Cafe restaurants of infringing trademarks belonging to the world-famous music venue.
A lawyer for Carnegie Hall confirmed the settlement in a letter filed on Monday night in Manhattan federal court. Terms were not disclosed.
Carnegie Hall Corp, which manages the 134-year-old venue, accused Carnegie Diner and owner Efstathios Antonakopoulos of knowingly trading off its image and brand to promote restaurants in Manhattan; Secaucus, NJ; and Vienna, Va., with an eye toward nationwide franchising.
The lawsuit last May challenged restaurants that featured murals of Carnegie Hall’s building and stage, and sold T-shirts, tote bags and other merchandise highlighting the venue and historic appearances by singers Bob Dylan and Billy Joel, soprano Maria Callas, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and others.
Carnegie Hall said the defendants were confusing customers into believing Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Diner were connected.
The first Carnegie Diner opened in 2019. One location is diagonally across the street from Carnegie Hall.
“Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Hospitality have amicably resolved this matter in a manner that protects Carnegie Hall’s trademark rights and ensures that consumers will not be confused or misled,” Carnegie Hall said in a statement on Tuesday.
Antonakopoulos, known as Stathis, is chief executive of Carnegie Hospitality, which operates the restaurants. In his own statement he also said the settlement was amicable.
The lawsuit sought unspecified damages and the cancellation of Carnegie Hospitality’s registration with the US Patent and Trademark Office for Carnegie Diner & Cafe restaurants. That registration remains active.
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