Tuesday, April 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co. has accused the Hard Rock hotel-casino of stealing the use of its logo, which it says was used in slot promotions.
The corporation sued the Hard Rock Monday seeking damages for alleged trademark violations.
The Wisconsin-based company charged the hotel-casino of making "many hundreds of thousands of dollars" with the help of the motorcycle logo.
The Hard Rock did not return a telephone call. Attempts to amicably settle the dispute failed, motorcycle attorney Gary Goodheart said.
The alleged violations involve the use of Harley-Davidson's bar and shield logo on 25-cent slot machine reels, the suit said.
At least 10 such slots were used in the "Kickstart My Heart" promotion, which allegedly offered as a jackpot a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The slot promotions began in March 1995, the lawsuit alleged.
In January, the motorcycle company learned of the alleged illegal use of its logo and demanded that the Hard Rock pull the slots.
Seven days after receiving the order, a casino attorney allegedly contacted Harley-Davidson, inquiring about getting permission to use the bar and shield logo, the suit said.
But Harley-Davidson said it did not want its image associated with the Hard Rock and threatened to sue, Goodheart wrote. On the eve of the suit's filing, the Hard Rock relented and stopped using the "Kickstart My Heart" slot machines, the suit alleged.
However, the hotel-casino is accused of "dragging its feet" by not turning over the slot machines or promotional signs boasting the motorcycle logo.
That reluctance and a belief that the Hard Rock has not disclosed the total amount of money made off those slots, prompted Harley-Davidson to sue, the suit said.
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