The World Trade Centers Association, the nonprofit that controls the “World Trade Center” trademark, has sued the Port Authority over logos on the merchandise sold at the observatory.
The federal lawsuit states that the Port Authority is illegally using the logo on teddy bears, coffee mugs and glasses, according to the New York Post.
The association owns the trademark, which it bought from the Port Authority for just $10 30 years ago and generates millions of dollars every year licensing use of the World Trade Center name.
“We have license agreements in place with the Port Authority and our other members regarding the use of our trademarks, but the Port Authority is in breach of those agreements and is using WTCA’s trademarks without authorization on merchandise without our consent,” the association said in a statement.
Specifically, the WTCA claims that the PA violated its rights when it combined the “World Trade Center” trademark with One World Observatory to make the new logo. [NYP] – Christopher Cameron