Latest news with #EfstathiosAntonakopoulos
Eater
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
‘This Is No ‘Homage;' It Is Theft': Carnegie Hall Sues Carnegie Diner
Carnegie Hall is suing Carnegie Diner and Cafe — which opened in 2019, and is not to be confused with Carnegie Deli, which closed in 2016 — for using its name to promote itself and franchise, according to a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, May 20 in a Manhattan federal court. Carnegie Hall Corp, the company that manages the historic 100-plus-year-old venue, said the owner of Carnegie Diner, Efstathios Antonakopoulos, has 'traded off its image and brand to promote his Carnegie Diners' in Manhattan, New Jersey, and Virginia, with plans to franchise nationwide over the next several years. Inside, the diner features images of the stage and performers along with merch including references to 'appearances by singer Bob Dylan, soprano Maria Callas, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King' at Carnegie Hall. The filing noted that Carnegie Hall has been trying to resolve this 'amicably' for years without success. Antonakopoulos allegedly says it's an homage to the venue. 'This is no 'homage;' it is theft,' reads the complaint. The lawsuit seeks 'unspecified damages unspecified damages, a halt to further alleged infringements, and the cancellation of Carnegie Hospitality's registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for Carnegie Diner & Cafe restaurants.' Where to watch the Knicks Bars and restaurants across the city will broadcast the Knicks playoff games starting tonight, Wednesday, May 21. But perhaps the closest option to the action is Roberta's, which is adjacent to Madison Square Garden (One Penn Plaza, 33 East). It's $120 per ticket that includes a pizza and two drinks on the rooftop, with 'a loud, proud, Knicks-loving crowd,' rain or shine. Other options include a watch party at Slate (54 W. 21st Street at Sixth Avenue). Doors open at 6 p.m. with half-price drinks for the first hour. In addition to the game, ping-pong tables, pool tables, skee-ball, and a foosball table, among other games. Tickets are $55. And Clinton Hall is hosting is hosting pre-game specials also starting at 6 p.m. in all four locations with items like $3 Jell-O shots and $3 sliders. Corima collab at the James Beard food hall On May 31, Chinatown's Corima from chef Fidel Caballero will cook a five-course dinner at the James Beard Foundation's Platform at Pier 57 in partnership with Mexico City's Masala y Maiz. Tickets are available online from $165 to $205 for seats. Sign up for our newsletter.
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Infringe its trademarks, lawsuit claims
NEW YORK, May 20 (Reuters) - Carnegie Hall is suing the operator of several restaurants called the Carnegie Diner and Cafe, accusing it of infringing trademarks belonging to one of the world's most prestigious music venues. The nonprofit Carnegie Hall Corp, which manages the 134-year-old venue, said Efstathios Antonakopoulos has "taken every opportunity" to trade off its image and brand to promote his Carnegie Diners in Manhattan; Secaucus, New Jersey; and Vienna, Virginia, with a stated goal to franchise nationwide by 2029. Carnegie Hall objected to the restaurants featuring wall-size murals of its building and stage, selling T-shirts and other merchandise referencing the venue and referring to historic events such as appearances by singer Bob Dylan, soprano Maria Callas and civil rights leader Martin Luther King. The complaint filed on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court said this is confusing customers into believing Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Diners were connected, and that years of trying to resolve the matter amicably have been unsuccessful. It also quoted Antonakopoulos, who is known as Stathis, describing Carnegie Diner as paying "homage" to Carnegie Hall and people who appeared at the midtown Manhattan venue. One of the restaurants is located diagonally across the street. "This is no 'homage'; it is theft," the complaint said. Antonakopoulos and his company, Carnegie Hospitality, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. He became chief executive in 2019, according to the company's website. Carnegie Hall said in a statement: "We filed the suit to protect both Carnegie Hall's intellectual property rights and innocent consumers who are likely to mistakenly believe that the restaurants are related to Carnegie Hall." The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, a halt to further alleged infringements, and the cancellation of Carnegie Hospitality's registration, opens new tab with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for Carnegie Diner & Cafe restaurants. The case is Carnegie Hall Corp v Carnegie Hospitality LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-04224.
