WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Hard Lox Cafe Forced to Change Name of Festival
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It's as traditional as football in the fall in Savannah: the Hard Lox Cafe in Forsyth Park. But that's changing this year; at least the name is.
For 17 years thousands have gathered every fall in Forsyth Park to be served corned beef and plenty of other Jewish delicacies at the Hard Lox Cafe.
But this year it's the organizers that are being served with a cease and desist order for their fundraiser. Why?
Nathan Belzer, the attorney for the congregation Mickve Israel said, it has to do with the company's logo.
"The Hard Rock Cafe has a federal trademark registration on their logo, which is not surprising," said Belzer. "Basically what they are saying is by us using Hard Lox Cafe, even though it's innocent and not for profit, was still infringing on their trademark rights."
The congregation got a letter from the Hard Rock Cafe about a year ago, and rather than getting into a legal battle, Mickve Israel decided to change the name of the festival.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make but I think if they were to press it and they seemed like they were inclined to," said Belzer. "Plus one of your obligations as a trade mark owner is to police your mark."
So the festival committee decided to change the name to Shalom Ya'll, which is a new name, but that is all that will change.
"It's still the same festival that many have come to know and love for 17 years, and there shouldn't be any problems getting the same people out to our new Shalom Ya'll festival," said Belzer.
However, this time around, Mickve Israel isn't taking any chances, Shalom Y'all is now their official trademark. A sweet ending for a day designed to tempt the taste buds.
Reported by: Brooke Kelley, bkelley@wtoc.com
