Quince the restaurant and Quince.com have settled their legal battle over brand confusion without disclosing financial details
San Francisco: So, remember that legal spat between Quince, the fancy restaurant, and Quince.com, the online store? Well, it looks like they’ve settled things quietly. No one’s spilling the beans on the money side of things, though.
About a year ago, Quince the restaurant filed a lawsuit against Quince.com. They were worried about folks getting confused because both are based in San Francisco. Imagine getting a sweater meant for the online store delivered to a restaurant!
Quince.com started up in 2020, selling stylish, eco-friendly clothes at decent prices. Meanwhile, the restaurant, which has been around since 2003, has had its ups and downs, especially during the pandemic. But it’s back and still rocking those three Michelin stars.
There was more to it than just the name. The restaurant owners noticed that Quince.com’s branding looked a lot like theirs. They were also frustrated when they saw the online store selling cookware, just as they were trying to launch their own kitchen goods.
Trademark laws can be a real headache. The restaurant has a trademark for catering and consulting, but their main trademark application is still in the works. Quince.com is also waiting on its trademark for online retail.
Last January, Quince’s owners tried to settle for $12 million, but the other side said no. Fast forward to June, and it seems they reached a quiet agreement, with the lawsuit now dismissed. Both sides are covering their own legal costs.
Even after all this, the two websites still look pretty similar. It’s a strange coincidence!
