Alaska Airlines has lost a trademark lawsuit against the Virgin Group in London. The background is that in the course of the takeover of Virgin America it was agreed that the brand can continue to be used for a license fee.
In the meantime, Alaska Airlines has given up the Virgin America brand and took the view that license fees would no longer have to be paid as a result. The Virgin Group saw things differently and insisted on compliance with the contract, which stipulates that at least eight million US dollars per year must be paid by 2039.
The court ruled in favor of the Virgin Group. However, a spokesman for Alaska Airlines said it would appeal the verdict, saying it was unfounded.