In what year were the opposition proceedings against Crown Melbourne Limited consolidated regarding Crowne Plaza?
Crowne_Plaza Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Crown Melbourne Limited's applications to register the following CROWN formative marks for hotel or casino services:
| Opposition Number | Opposed Trademark | |---|---| | 91185217 | CROWN LAS VEGAS | | 91184816 | CROWN CASINO HOTEL | | 91184817 | CROWN LAS VEGAS | | 91184818 | CROWN TOWER | | 91184819 | CROWN TOWERS | | 91184820 | CROWN | The proceedings were consolidated in 2011 and the parties have stipulated to a series of suspensions for settlement discussions since then.
In May 2013, SCH filed petitions to cancel three of Crown Melbourne's registrations for hotel or casino services with the TTAB on likelihood of confusion, lack of use in commerce, and abandonment grounds. In June 2014, SCH filed a petition to cancel Crown Melbourne's registration of the CROWN CLUB & design mark. SCH filed new cancelation proceedings on October 15, 2021 against Crown Melbourne's CROWN RESORTS registration and November 5, 2021 against Crown Melbourne's CROWN TOWERS registration. A summary of the cancellation proceedings is below.
| Cancellation Number | Trademark | |---|---| | 92057200 | CROWN TOWERS | | 92057199 | Crown Design mark | | 92057187 | Crown Design mark | | 92059284 | CROWN CLUB & Design | | 92078255 | CROWN RESORTS | | 92078417 | CROWN TOWERS | The cancellation proceedings likewise were suspended per the parties' stipulation for settlement discussions. After resumption of the proceedings in the fall of 2014, the parties requested and were granted consolidation of all 10 opposition and cancellation proceedings under number 91184816. The consolidated proceedings were then suspended by agreement of the parties several times, with the most recent suspension expiring on May 8, 2024.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 82–85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Crowne Plaza Franchise Disclosure Document, the opposition proceedings against Crown Melbourne Limited were consolidated in 2011. Since then, the parties involved have agreed to a series of suspensions to facilitate settlement discussions.
In May 2013, SCH (presumably Six Continents Hotels, Inc., the parent company) initiated petitions to cancel three of Crown Melbourne's registrations with the TTAB (Trademark Trial and Appeal Board) for hotel or casino services. These petitions were based on the likelihood of confusion, lack of use in commerce, and abandonment grounds. In June 2014, SCH further filed a petition to cancel Crown Melbourne's registration of the CROWN CLUB & design mark. SCH initiated new cancellation proceedings on October 15, 2021, against Crown Melbourne's CROWN RESORTS registration and November 5, 2021, against their CROWN TOWERS registration.
Furthermore, Crown Melbourne filed a petition on March 13, 2015, to cancel SCH's registration of the CROWNE PLAZA mark for casino services. However, this proceeding was terminated on December 6, 2021, because SCH did not renew the registration for casino services. The cancellation proceedings were suspended by agreement of the parties for settlement discussions. After the proceedings resumed in the fall of 2014, all 10 opposition and cancellation proceedings were consolidated under number 91184816. The consolidated proceedings were then suspended several times by agreement of the parties, with the most recent suspension expiring on May 8, 2024. The new cancellation proceedings have been suspended by agreement of both parties until April 17, 2025 (No. 92078255) and March 12, 2025 (No. 92078417).
For a prospective Crowne Plaza franchisee, this ongoing legal activity highlights the importance of trademark protection and the potential for disputes over brand names and logos. While Crowne Plaza's parent company actively defends its trademarks, franchisees should be aware of the possibility of changes to branding or marketing materials if required by legal settlements or decisions. Franchisees are obligated to use the Marks only in connection with the operation of the Hotel during the License Term, following opening of the Hotel in the Brand System or at any earlier time that Holiday authorizes.