The standoff between Original Joe’s and Uptown Joe’s — slated this month for the former Hotel Majestic — has gone legal. Scoop reported today that the Duggan family this week sued the folks behind Uptown Joe’s for copyright infringement. “According to the suit, the Duggan family was approached about reopening Original Joe’s in the Hotel Majestic, calling it ‘Uptown Joe’s.’ Despite the family’s rejection of the idea, the defendants carried out a plan to replicate Original Joe’s, including hiring ex-employees, according to the documents.” Meanwhile, the fire-damaged Original Joe’s has been silent on a possible reopening date, but as John Duggan’s Fish & Farm partner Frank Klein noted in 140 characters last week, “Original Joe’s gearing up to re-establish the domain and launch fresh. Copy cats beware; advice to you; seek neutral counsel.”
Inside Scoop [SF Chronicle]
Earlier: Original Joe’s Fired Up Over Perceived Knock-Off [Grub Street SF]
