In a significant court ruling, the iconic Space Ibiza trademark owned by Pepe Roselló has been annulled. The decision, made on June 28 by a commercial court in Valencia, sided with Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL, owned by the Matutes family, over the disputed logo.
The Ruling and Its Implications
The court annulled Roselló’s 2008 Space Ibiza trademark due to its “nominative and graphic” similarity to the original Space Ibiza Dance logo, registered by Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL in 1991. The court’s statement highlighted the phonetic and visual similarities, emphasizing that both logos are “practically identical” in elements like the star and the sphere. This similarity falls under Trademark Law (article 34-2-b), which prevents third parties from using similar signs that could confuse the public.
Immediate Repercussions
Following the ruling, Palladium Hotel Group, which owns Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL, demanded the cessation of the Space Ibiza parties currently held at Eden nightclub. The decision also impacts other trademarks, including Space Dance Barcelona, Space Dance Madrid, Space Beach Club, and Space Club.
Palladium Group expressed their intent to hold their own Space parties using the logo. In response, Roselló stated that he respects the ruling but plans to appeal. He clarified that the decision only affects the Space Ibiza brand within Spain, not other international trademarks, including the new venue in Riccione, Italy.
A Long-Standing Legal Battle
This ruling is the latest in a long-running legal dispute between Roselló and the Matutes family. Roselló originally leased the venue from Matutes in 1989 and managed Space Ibiza until its closure in 2016. Post-closure, Roselló continued hosting events across Europe under the Space Ibiza name, while the original venue in Playa d’en Bossa was transformed into Hï Ibiza by Palladium Hotel Group’s Ushuaïa Entertainment.
Despite the closure of Space Ibiza in 2016, there have been persistent rumors about its reopening. In 2021, Roselló hinted at a new bar, restaurant, and club night in Ibiza’s San Antonio, continuing the legacy of the world-renowned club.
Read the full report from Diario de Ibiza here.
[H/T] – DJ Mag