Despite ranking, problems dog La. business
May 28, 2014
Aaron Jules Hebert
June 4, 2014
Bob Marley’s estate and Raising Cane’s have resolved their legal dispute over the fried chicken finger chain’s use of the slogan “One Love,” which also happens to be the title of one of the late Jamaican reggae star’s biggest hits.
Todd Graves, founder and chief executive officer of Cane’s, tells The Advocate that a “mutually beneficial agreement” was reached. An attorney for Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd., said “mutually agreeable terms” led to a settlement.
Neither side would disclose the terms.
Fifty-Six Hope Road sued Cane’s in December for alleged trademark infringement. The estate claimed Cane’s never sought or obtained a license or permission to use the Marley One Love trademark.
Cane’s then sued Fifty-Six Hope Road seeking a court judgment that it is not infringing on any of the estate’s rights. Cane’s has used the “One Love” trademark since 2001 with no conflict and registered it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2005.
U.S. District Judge James Brady, at the request of both sides, dismissed Fifty-Six Hope Road’s lawsuit May 13. The same day, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson dismissed Cane’s suit at the request of the parties.
“Hope Road is glad the matters have been settled upon mutually agreeable terms,” Hope Road attorney Timothy Ervin said last week in a written statement. He said that would be Hope Road’s only comment.
Cane’s, in a statement issued through company spokeswoman Julie Perrault, said Graves and Cedella Marley met and were able to resolve the matter upon mutually agreeable terms. Cedella Marley is one of Bob Marley’s daughters.
Hope Road has sold clothing bearing the Marley One Love trademark since 1991, according to the family’s suit. Hope Road also has licensed Marley One Love hats, stickers, jewelry, other goods and restaurants since 1999
Cane’s has its headquarters in Baton Rouge, with a support office in Plano, Texas.
Raising Cane’s and Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley’s estate resolved their legal dispute over the fried chicken finger chain’s use of the slogan “One Love,” which also happens to be the title of one of Marley’s biggest hits.
