ORLANDO — The hotel chain the holds the Quality Inn trademark is suing the ownership and management of a similarly named Orlando hotel for alleged trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin.
Choice Hotels International Inc. sued Allamanda Investment LLC, Helen E. James also known as Helen E. Kwok, Djamwai Kwok and Accagree Trust, on March 4 in the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida, claiming the defendants violated the Lanham Act.
The hotel in question, the Kuality Resorts and Suites, was formerly a Choice Hotels Rodeway Inn until Choice terminated the franchise in 2014, according to the suit, which goes on to allege that the hotel has since been featured in "deplorable" condition with "bedbugs and killer bees" on the television show "Hotel Impossible."
The complaint says the "Kuality" name creates a likelihood of consumer confusion with the Choice company's Quality brand.
The plaintiff seeks the following: an order enjoining the defendants from continuing the alleged trademark infringement, all profits received by each defendant in connection with the actions complained about, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and any further relief that the court may deem just and equitable. The plaintiff is represented by Zachary D. Messa of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP in Clearwater and Matthew J. Ladenheim of Trego, Hines & Ladenheim, PLLC in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida Case number 6:16-cv-00375