News

TIA lawsuit stays on course

By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: December 14, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority has rejected Hernando County's attempts for a conflict resolution and plans to move forward with its lawsuit to block a name change for the local airport.

Janet Zink, director of communications for Tampa International Airport, said there are trademark issues at stake with Hernando County's proposed renaming of its airport to the Brooksville-Tampa Regional Airport. Further, Zink said the state law that creates a procedure which counties can follow to resolve disputes is not a valid alternative.

"Our attorneys do not believe that statute or the conflict resolution act applies in this case," said Zink, citing chapter 164 of Florida Statutes dealing with governmental disputes. "(We) believe this is a business issue, not an intergovernmental issue."

Zink said her client maintains there is a copyright infringement involved in the Brooksville airport renaming. Beyond that, Zink chose not to elaborate while the matter is in litigation.

The county's attorney, Garth Coller, said his office is proceeding according to state law.

"We're following the normal statutory process," Coller said.

County Economic Development Manager Mike McHugh has said renaming the airport the Brooksville-Tampa Regional Airport will reap big dividends for out-of-state companies who would have a better idea of the complex's proximity to its urban neighbor.

In November, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority filed suit against Hernando County seeking to prohibit the government from using the new name.

The lawsuit claims it would be a "false designation of origin, false advertising, Florida common law trademark infringement and Florida trademark dilution."

The Hillsborough County's trademark rights have been in continuous use for more than a half-century, and the HCAA has used the Tampa Airport designation for more than 15 years to identify commercial aviation facilities and related services, the lawsuit said.

However, in the resolution passed this week, Hernando County commissioners said the new name does not infringe on any trademark or trade name.

Several commissioners have called the lawsuit frivolous and intend to fight for the right of renaming the airport.

mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290