Wolf Trap, Non-Profit Reach Agreement In Suit

Wolf Trap and a Berryville, Va. nonprofit announced Friday they've reached an agreement that will avoid a federal trademark infringement lawsuit the Vienna performing arts center filed last month.

The suit, struck a nerve with many of the people who worked to make the 50-year vision for the non-profit a reality, as well as with many Wolf Trap patrons.

It demanded the nonprofit not only change its name, but also pay Wolf Trap for damages and lawyers fees and surrender all signs, labels, ads and materials with "the Infringing Mark" on it.

After meeting with the Wolf Trap Foundation's president earlier this week, The Barns of Rose Hill's Board Chair, Ann St. Clair Lesman, said Friday on the organization's web site the two groups reached a "mutually agreeable outcome."

The agreement will drop "the" from the organization's name. The group will be known as "Barns of Rose Hill" going forward, the Clarke Daily News reports.

It will also change the tagline of its marketing materials to remove the term "Northern Virginia," and describe itself as just “a cultural center for the Shenandoah Valley."

Lesman also had to agree the group would not oppose the Wolf Trap Foundation as it continues its pursuit of a trademark on the words "The Barns," the Daily News reports.

"Both organizations look forward to continuing to engage and serve the community through our performing arts and education programs," Lesman wrote on the group's website.

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