Fight Over Cathedral City's Hot Air Balloon Festival Trademarks, Logos, Settles In Court

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — The former producer of Cathedral City's balloon festival has agreed to halt the use of the festival's trademark, name and logos, vowing to a federal judge that it was halting the practice and averting the need for a federal injunction.

City officials filed a federal lawsuit June 16 against Fantasy Balloon Flights after discovering the company was continuing to use the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival's trademarks and logos, even though the company's contract with the city ended in 2024.

City officials sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company in April.

According to the city, Fantasy Balloon Flights served as a consultant for the festival until 2017 when they were hired as a producer. Last week, with the city seeking a federal court injunction, Fantasy Balloon Flights vowed to the court that it was no longer using any festival trademarks or logos.

With that assurance, U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes held off on considering the city's request for an injunction, but warned that any repeat violations by the company could lead to such an order.

"Our legal action achieved what we intended -- stopping the trademark misuse that was creating confusion for residents, sponsors and potential visitors," Ryan Hunt, city communications and event manager, said in a statement. "The federal court confirmed that Fantasy Balloon Flights has completely abandoned these deceptive practices and made promises to never resume them."

This year's festival will be held Nov. 21-23, with SoundSkilz chosen as the event producer following a competitive bidding process.