State fair lawsuit settled

The State Fair of Virginia has setted a lawsuit filed against a rival company planning a fair at it’s former location in Richmond, according to a news release.

 Earlier this year, The State Fair of Virginia Inc. had filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Fair, a for-profit company based in Tennessee, claiming that Universal is infringing on its trademark and is misleading vendors and potential fairgoers.

According to the lawsuit, Universal told some long-time vendors of the fair that it would be conducting this year’s event instead. Universal is hosting an event it calls the Richmond State Fair from July 17-26 at the Richmond Raceway Complex, where the State Fair of Virginia has held its event for the last 62 years.

In the settlement, Universal Fairs and its affiliated companies must drop the term ‘State’ from the name for their event. Universal Fairs must also change the font of their event and not use a Ferris wheel in direct connection with the event name, to aid in further clarification between the carnival and the State Fair.

In addition, according to the settlement, Universal Fairs and its affiliates must "place the statement ‘Not affiliated with the State Fair of Virginia, Inc.’ in a font or typeface size reasonably legible to the unaided eye . . . on any promotion, advertisement, poster, guide for the Event or any other written or printed materials promoting the Event and the Internet websites promoting the Event."

Universal Fairs must also use the disclaimer when making "any and all solicitation calls" to prospective vendors.

 "We are pleased with the outcome, which resolves our concerns over Universal Fairs marketing practices," said Curry Roberts, president of The State Fair of Virginia. "While it is regrettable that we had to file the suit, it is important that the State Fair of Virginia event maintains its reputation on behalf of the thousands of Virginians who pour their heart and soul into the event each fall."

The State Fair of Virginia will be held Sept. 24-Oct. 4 at the new 360-acre Meadow Event Park on State Route 30 in Caroline County, near the King’s Dominion amusement park.

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/carolinecrossroads/2009/05/12/state-fair-lawsuit-settled/