Pepe Roselló’s Space Ibiza Trademark Annulled by Spanish Court

In a significant legal development, a Valencia court has annulled the trademark of the iconic Space Ibiza brand held by its founder, Pepe Roselló. This decision came as a result of a lawsuit filed by Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL, owned by the Matutes family. The ruling marks a crucial victory for the Matutes family, who can now potentially shut down the ongoing Space residency parties at Eden nightclub in Ibiza.

The Legal Battle

The dispute over the “Space” brand name has been ongoing between Pepe Roselló, the original founder of Space Ibiza, and the Matutes family, who own Fiesta Hotels & Resorts. According to a report by Diario de Ibiza, the commercial court of Valencia ruled in favor of Fiesta Hotels on June 28. The court found that Roselló’s 2008 trademark registration of “Space Ibiza” created confusion with the pre-existing “Space Ibiza Dance” trademark, registered in 1991 by Fiesta Hotels.

Impact of the Ruling

The ruling not only annuls the “Space Ibiza” trademark but also affects several associated brands, including “Space Dance Barcelona,” “Space Dance Madrid,” “Space Beach Club,” and “Space Ibz Planet.” The Palladium Group, which owns Fiesta Hotels, has indicated they will seek precautionary measures to halt the current Space Ibiza party held weekly at Eden nightclub.

Background of the Conflict

The legal battle between Roselló and the Matutes family began years ago, revolving around the management of the Space nightclub, now known as Hï Ibiza. Roselló had leased the Space nightclub from the Matutes family in 1989 and managed it until 2016. Despite the end of his lease, Roselló continued to use the Space Ibiza brand, leveraging its strong symbolic and commercial value.

Legal Reasoning

The court’s decision was based on the confusion between the “Space Ibiza” and “Space Ibiza Dance” logos. The judge noted that both logos were nearly identical in phonetic and graphic terms, leading to a risk of public confusion. The ruling emphasized that the trademarks were almost indistinguishable, citing the identical design elements like the star and the sphere in both logos.

Reactions and Next Steps

Following the ruling, the Palladium Group expressed satisfaction and confirmed their intention to enforce the court’s decision, which may include ending the Space Ibiza parties at Eden. They also plan to host their own Space-themed events using the logo they own.

Pepe Roselló, on the other hand, has expressed his respect for the court’s decision but plans to appeal. He pointed out that the ruling only applies within Spain and does not affect trademarks registered outside the country, which he continues to use.

This court ruling represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing dispute over the Space Ibiza brand. As the legal battle continues, the outcome will undoubtedly shape the future of one of Ibiza’s most legendary nightclub brands.

Stay tuned to Pure 94.7 for more updates on this developing story.