The Cleveland zoo is seeking payment of damages, attorneys fees, and other court costs - as well as for the Pittsburgh zoo to cease using the name and stop promotion of the event. It claims about 8% of last year's attendees live in Western Pennsylvania and Youngstown. The lawsuit claims the Cleveland Metropark Zoo will suffer losses because of Pittsburgh's marketing of the event, noting that people from more than 100 Pennsylvania cities bought tickets to the Cleveland event. Cleveland attorneys note in the lawsuit they became aware of Pittsburgh's event June 22. Petersburg predated the Cleveland zoo event by a year.Īttorneys for the Pittsburgh zoo also claim the Cleveland zoo filed its federal trademark application - for "Asian Lantern Festival Cleveland Metroparks Zoo" - three days before filing the lawsuit on July 2. The filing points to light shows with the phrase "Asian Lantern Festival" at zoos across the country: Louisville Zoo, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa. In its own filing, Pittsburgh zoo representatives called the lawsuit an "audacious attempt to claim intellectual property rights," noting the phrase Asian Lantern Festival has been used to describe events and traditions that have existed "for over two millennia." The lawsuit alleges Pittsburgh's use of the name Asian Lantern Festival is "likely to cause confusion, cause mistake and deceive consumers as to the source, origin, affiliation, connection or association of the Pittsburgh zoo's light show." Pittsburgh zoo officials, according to the filings, told their counterparts in Cleveland they would consider renaming the event in the future but made no promises. That was followed up with a June 29 cease-and-desist letter, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims the Pittsburgh zoo's advertisements are using photos from the Cleveland zoo's lantern festival.Ĭleveland zoo officials claim in the lawsuit they sent an email to Pittsburgh zoo management June 25, which they said went unanswered. "At no time," according to the lawsuit, "did Cleveland Metroparks authorize Pittsburgh zoo to use the Asian Lantern Festival mark." It further claims that Pittsburgh began advertising its light show at the same time tickets for the Cleveland show opened ticket sales. It is billed as the Asian Lantern Festival and referred to as "a bold new adventure" for the zoo. 30, according to the Pittsburgh zoo's website. General admission tickets go on sale Friday, July 8.The show is currently scheduled for certain days from Aug. Ticket presale for Zoo Members begins Friday, July 1 on. “If you thought last year was great, just wait until you see this new display.” “Seeing these lanterns in the daytime is really impressive, but when they are lit up at night it is awe-inspiring,” said Allan Marshall, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Vice President of Internal Relations. Over 120,000 guests attended the festival during the fall 2021 event. The Zoo works locally with the Organization of Chinese Americans to organize regional performance groups. In addition to the lanterns, themed food and entertainment will brighten the atmosphere of the festival. The lanterns will be built and installed through the month of July in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. “The Zoo and our partners couldn’t be more excited to bring the festival back this year.” “The Asian Lantern Festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our Zoo, our species conservation work, and celebrate the cultures that make this world a special place,” said Pittsburgh Zoo President & CEO Dr. The lanterns will highlight Asian culture and history while also featuring endangered and extinct animals. Over 50 massive silk and steel handcrafted sculptures will once again shine along the pathways of the Zoo at night, with the largest lanterns soaring 30 feet high and reaching 100 feet long. The all-new display will include favorites from days past: dinosaurs. They’re back and bigger than ever! After dazzling the region in 2021, the Asian Lantern Festival will make its triumphant return to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on select nights starting August 12 through October 30.
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