Uber hit with trademark lawsuit over new travel services

A screen shows the company logo for Uber Technologies Inc on the New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters)-The California company sued Uber Technologies Inc in federal court in San Francisco on Thursday, accusing the rideshare giant of infringing on its trademark rights in a new trademark application and service that ” Uber Travel ”unfairly competes in the real estate business.

The lawsuit against UberRE Inc alleges that it purchased an “Über” brand for real-estate services in 2017 and used the software name for booking travel accommodations. It claimed damages of more than $ 250 billion, more than five times the current market capitalization of Uber Technologies.

Uber Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UberRE announces vacation rentals even with one “UberBnB” app, as well as through a website that clearly describes its trademark ownership and compares its business history to Uber Technologies. UberRE Inc. chairman Brent Ritz told Reuters that Uber Technologies had breached an agreement with the company that he disclosed in detail.

Uber Technologies announced last month that it will start offering a service for booking long-distance train travel in the United Kingdom starting this summer, and will add flight booking there later this year and hotel bookings. in the future.

The company is applying to register a U.S. trademark for “Uber Travel” that covers travel booking in January, even if the UK news release does not use that name or mention plans to provide the same service in the United States.

UberRE alleges in the lawsuit that Uber Technologies violated its mark and caused confusion among consumers by offering competing services.

Uber Technologies was previously sued by New York ad agency Uber Inc over its planned expansion into the advertising business. The companies resolved the dispute in November.

The case is UberRE Inc v. Uber Technologies Inc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, No. 3: 22-cv-02806.

For UberRE: Thomas Stanton of Stanton IP Law Firm

For Uber Technologies: not available

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