NEW YORK: A nonprofit that controls the “World Trade Center” trademark is suing the Port Authority for using the name in the new logo for One World Observatory and on merchandise sold at the observatory, a new federal lawsuit states.
The World Trade Centers Association owns the trademark after buying it from the PA for just $10 in a sweetheart deal 30 years ago.
The association makes millions of dollars a year selling the rights to use the World Trade Center name to hundreds of companies around the world.
It’s suing over the PA’s use of the trademark on teddy bears, coffee mugs and glasses sold at the observatory, according to its Manhattan federal-court lawsuit.
“We have license agreements in place with the Port Authority and our other members regarding the use of our trademarks, but the Port Authority is in breach of those agreements and is using WTCA’s trademarks without authorization on merchandise without our consent,” the association said in a statement.
