Thursday, November 27 2003
The Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC) and the Library Hotel, a boutique hotel located near the New York Public Library's iconic Humanities and Social Sciences library, have reached a settlement agreement regarding the hotel's use of the Dewey Decimal Classification system trademarks. In one of the year's odder stories, OCLC filed a trademark infringement complaint against The Library Hotel in September. Under the settlement terms, The Library Hotel will receive permission from OCLC to use the Dewey Decimal Classification trademarks in its hotel and in its marketing materials, acknowledging that OCLC is the owner of the Dewey trademarks.
In return, the Library Hotel will make a financial donation to a non-profit organization that promotes reading by children. Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO, said the agreement was a good outcome for both parties. The hotel's owner, Henry Kallan, echoed those thoughts, but remained defiant. "We do not believe that our use of the Dewey system...infringes OCLC's Dewey trademarks," said Kallan, "but acknowledging OCLC's Dewey trademarks and making a charitable contribution to promote reading by children, rather than spending money litigating, seems to be a reasonable way to resolve this matter." News of the suit had librarians buzzing this fall, with many criticizing OCLC. Of course, OCLC attorneys argue, the entire matter could have been resolved more reasonably had Kallan simply dealt with OCLC.
Source:
http://www.libraryjournal.com
