Red Lion, Hard Rock Resolve Millennial Hotel Brand Lawsuit

Red Lion Hotels Corporation and Hard Rock Café International (USA), Inc., report that they have resolved a lawsuit involving the two companies’ Millennial-focused hotel brands: Reverb by Hard Rock and Hotel RL.

In July Red Lion sued Hard Rock, alleging that Reverb copied plans for the Hotel RL brand. The suit alleged wholesale infringement of trade tress and asked for an injunction against Hard Rock, as well as damages and profits from the Reverb brand.

Plans for Reverb were announced at this year’s NYU International Hospitality and Industry Investment Conference, with signature brand elements to include an entry with digital signage and an audio/video wall; check-in pods; a “Constant Grind” venue that functions as a barista café by day and a bar by night; stepped an powered lounge seating; an indoor/outdoor live entertainment zone; and modular furniture and bedding in guestrooms. Hotel RL debuted in 2018, with a focus on gourmet coffee, healthy food options, live music and local accents.

Details of the lawsuit’s resolution were not disclosed. The two companies issued a written release saying:

“Red Lion Hotels Corporation and Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. have fully resolved, to their mutual satisfaction, all aspects of their dispute regarding the development of the REVERB By Hard Rock Hotel brand and system, which Hard Rock intends to continue to develop nationwide. This agreement brings to an end litigation that was pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.”

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