Claims Copyright Infringement By The Atlanta-Based Airline

American Airlines has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas accusing Delta Airlines of infringing on its copyright for the use of the word "Flagship".

Frequent Business Traveler reports that, according to the lawsuit, American holds that it owns multiple registered marks including "Flagship" to describe its services. The airline says it has been using the Flagship trademark since the 1930s.

The suit claims that Delta "knowing that American owns the exclusive right to use the Flagship marks,” has used the term “to promote its own airport lounges and premium services and interiors. This is no accident.”

American accuses Delta of attempting to capture increased market share "by targeting its greatest competitor, American, and eroding the brand, goodwill, and value that American has built over the past eighty years through the Flagship marks." American said Delta is attempting to generate confusion between the two airlines.

Delta has not responded to the suit.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report