The confirmed judicial decision states that the trademark was applied for by the heirs with fraudulent intent, even if one of the applicants bears the Cambó surname. This ruling follows a dispute stemming from the sale of the Grand Hotel Central, located at Via Laietana number 30 in Barcelona, historically known as Casa Cambó.
After the hotel's sale, the sellers, descendants of the founder of the Lliga Regionalista, registered the Casa Cambó trademark in the European Union. The court noted that the transaction included both the hotel business and the building, as well as the domain www.casacambo.com. Prior to the sale, the trademark was not registered, and its use was not addressed by either party.
“"In accordance with honest commercial practices, the seller should have guaranteed the peaceful use of the transferred assets, including the ability to designate the building as Casa Cambó and to use the domain names without interference."
The resolution also indicates that the heirs failed to respect the sales contract for the hotel's domain names, which remained registered in their name. Consequently, the appeals chamber has upheld the nullity of the trademark, concluding that the post-sale registration prevented the buyers' peaceful use of the assets.
This judicial decision marks the latest chapter in the history of the emblematic property on Via Laietana, where the politician once resided. The building is notable for its library on the upper floors. The significance of the Cambó brand and surname is such that the restaurant on the ground floor of the building is named Can Bo.
A descendant of the politician owned the establishment through the chain he founded. In 2021, the property was sold for 93 million euros to a Luxembourgish investment fund. The agreement stipulated that the chain would continue to manage the hotel, which then had 146 rooms. The Luxembourgish fund remains the current owner.
