Ravinia Festival, Ravinia Brewing Company Trade Public Statements

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — The intellectual property dispute between the Ravinia Festival and the owners of the Ravinia Brewing Company may be approaching a resolution, as both parties issued public statements over the past week indicating an agreement may be at hand allowing a new brew pub and diner to open on Roger Williams Avenue without the threat of a lawsuit.

In a newspaper advertisement printed Thursday, Ravinia Festival Association President Welz Kauffman said the group respects the "rich heritage" of the Ravinia name and only takes issue with possible "brand confusion" between the beer company and the nonprofit music festival.

"This issue could be cleared up through such simple steps as increasing the size of the words 'Brewing Company' in the company's logo and coupling the word 'Brewing' along with the word 'Ravinia' on its promotional materials and social media posts," Kauffman wrote.

The brewing company responded the following Wednesday with a statement describing Kauffman's public statement as a notable change from private communications it had received, saying its owners were "relieved that the RFA has relaxed many of its demands" and accepting the terms laid out by the festival's president and CEO.

"If RFA had initially requested these publicly stated terms, we would have accommodated – not because there was a legal requirement – but in an effort to be a good friend and neighbor," the brewing company said in a statement, which noted that a "quick and simple agreement" would be necessary to ensure the terms by which the two brands could coexist.

"We’re glad that the brewing company has responded to the ad, and we look forward to resolving this quickly," said Ravinia Festival Association spokesman Nick Pullia. "Brand confusion is the only issue, and we believe that issue would be cleared up by the examples we’ve offered in the ad."

Ravinia Brewing Company co-owner Kris Walker described his company as amenable to those steps.

"We agree to these terms. If additional requirements come to bear then the advertisement would be at best disingenuous, and at worst false advertising," Walker said. "We're choosing to take the positive assumption that Welz and the RFA intend on being true to their word."

Read both statements in their entirety below »

The Ravinia Brewing Company issued the following statement April 24:

We would like to thank Welz Kauffman, CEO of Ravinia Festival Association (RFA), for his public overture in the Landmark Newspaper last week. The content of this advertisement was vastly different than the recent communications we have privately received from the RFA.

We are relieved that the RFA has relaxed many of its demands regarding the use of our community name. These recent demands have included: transfer of the Ravinia Brewing Company registered trademark to the RFA, brand licensing and control, royalties, and (most recently) a request to change our brand name to “Ravinia Colony Brewing.”

Welz Kauffman is now simply asking for two things: to increase the size of “Brewing Company” and to ensure that the terms “Ravinia” and “Brewing” are always used together. We are pleased to announce that we accept! This must be formalized with a short coexistence agreement – but it is an encouraging step forward.

If RFA had initially requested these publicly stated terms, we would have accommodated – not because there was a legal requirement – but in an effort to be a good friend and neighbor.

Speaking of neighbors…a huge thank you to the rabble-rousing Ravinians and friends who have raised their voices in support of our project. We are heartened by the incredible passion of our community and look forward to contributing to the revitalization of our neighborhood.

Please keep in mind that there is no resolution at this point. Once a quick and simple agreement is in place reflecting the RFA’s public commitments, we can all move forward. Maybe one day soon we can even share a beer (and some group therapy) with the leaders of Ravinia Festival.

Ravinia Brewing Company is all about community. Our project thoughtfully considers the needs of the neighborhood and honors the history and essence of RAVINIA. It’s been a long labor of love and we hope to have the opportunity to finally show the community what we’ve been up to!

Meanwhile, an astronaut is floating over the skies of Ravinia while Weaver speeds down the Steep Ravine and a Rooster prepares to take flight…

Love,
Ravinia Brewing Company

Complete text of April 18 Ravinia Festival Association newspaper advertisement:

Dear Ravinia Neighbors:

Please allow us to clear the air.

We are Ravinia Festival truly want the proposed brew pub and restaurant on Roger Williams to open. A bustling business district is good for us all.

Despite the rumors, Ravinia Festival has filed no injunction or cease-and-desist letter against this business, demands no money, and is not protesting the use of the word "Ravinia" in its name. We fully appreciate the rich heritage of that name.

Without getting into legalese, we have just one issue with this company, the issue of brand confusion. This issue could be cleared up through such simple steps as increasing the size of the words "Brewing Company" in the company's logo and coupling the word "Brewing" along with the word "Ravinia" on its promotional materials and social media posts.

If the brew pub's representatives would come to the negotiating table, we believe we can resolve this quickly and amicably, so that we can all enjoy Ravinia Brew Pub and Witty's Refresher soon.

Here's to a thriving neighborhood!

Welz Kauffman
President and Chief Executive Officer

Related:

• Ravinia Festival Blocks Brewpub From Opening Over Trademark Claim
• Ravinia Festival, Brewing Company To Return To Negotiating Table
• A Personal Appeal To The City of Highland Park: Op-Ed