Ruling Handed Down In Melbourne's Corner Hotel Trademark Case

A Federal Court trademark battle between two Melbourne venues has had its ruling handed down. 

As reported by The Music Network, Richmond's iconic Corner Hotel has lost its trademark case with The Jazz Corner Hotel, which operates out of William Street with live music venue Bird's Basement underneath the hotel.

The case saw Swancom - the group owned by Tim Northeast and Mathew Everett which has operated the Corner Hotel since the mid '90s and owns the trademarks The Corner, Corner Hotel, Corner and Corner Presents - take action against Albert 'Albare' Dadon for using the Corner name in his venue name. 

Swancom asked for Dadon to cease using the Corner name as well as seeking compensation "from revenues made by Jazz Corner", with Dadon then counter-suing. 

The ruling was handed down this past Friday with Justice Michael O'Bryan saying that the "From the earliest days of European settlement of Australia to the present day, hotels have been named the ‘Corner Hotel'."

“I consider that ordinary members of the public should be credited with a general knowledge that there are many businesses, broadly in the hospitality industry, which use the name ‘corner’," he said, as well as stating that he did not believe the public would be confused by both venues having live music. 

The Jazz Corner Hotel operates out of William Street, with live music venue Bird's Basement underneath the hotel. 

A Melbourne staple, the Corner Hotel is located on Swan Street, Richmond and has been a home for live music since the mid '80s.