IHG Opposes Marriott's City Express Trademark Bid
Skift Take
InterContinental Hotels Group is challenging Marriott International's attempt to trademark City Express by Marriott, citing potential confusion with its Holiday Inn Express brand.
The DJIA fell 58 points on Friday but Nasdaq was up 21, the S&P 500 was down 2 points and the 10 year treasury yield was down .03 to 4.21%. Lodging stocks were mixed.
Mizuho Securities lowed their target price on Marriott Vacations to $126 from $128. They maintained their Buy rating.
InterContinental Hotels Group is opposing Marriott International's bid to trademark City Express by Marriott. Last month, IHG petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the trademark for Marriott's newest hotel brand. According to a Skift, IHG was concerned that the word "Express" in City Express, combined with the brand's affordable midscale positioning, would be confusingly similar to Holiday Inn Express, which has a large U.S. footprint. Marriott has until near the end of June to file an answer responding to IHG's allegations. The next step would be for the&
