OWE’s Mel Owen has provided continuing commentary to the San Francisco Chronicle on the high-profile trademark dispute between the National Park Service and Delaware North – former concessionaire for Yosemite National Park that argues that they own famous site names in the park, including Awahnee Hotel and Curry Village.
In the latest article on July 23, Yosemite in settlement talks to win back historic place names, Mel comments on the prospect of mediation.
“‘It’s an opportunity to find the middle ground,’ said Mel Owen, a San Francisco attorney specializing in trademark law, who has worked as a mediator in intellectual property cases. Owen said any mediated settlement between park officials and Delaware North is likely to involve some exchange of money, though a mediator will probably also stress the importance of the two sides maintaining good relations. Delaware North has contracts with the Park Service outside Yosemite, including in nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.”
Previous articles about the dispute that include commentary by Mel:
“How Yosemite Lost Its Historic Names – and May Win Them Back,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 11, 2016
“No longer the Ahwahnee: new names for Yosemite landmark sites,” San Francisco Chronicle, January 17, 2016