Sydney Zoo keeps its name after legal battle
WESTERN Sydney’s new zoo will be called Sydney Zoo, after it resolved a legal battle with CBD rival Taronga Zoo.
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WESTERN Sydney’s new zoo will keep its name after Sydney Zoo came to an agreement with rival Taronga Zoo, which had launched legal action over the name it claimed was “deceptive”.
The zoos revealed in a joint statement on Thursday their legal stoush had been resolved, with both parties agreeing to take “reasonable steps to avoid confusion” for visitors.
“Obviously it’s a huge relief. Now we can continue on with our core business functions,” Sydney Zoo chief executive Jake Burgess said.
“We’re starting to build ground equity in the local market. Changing the name would have been a big blow.”
Taronga Conservation Society Australia took the Bungarribee Park-based Sydney Zoo Pty Ltd to the Federal Court over its name in March, claiming customers could be misled to think it was located in Sydney CBD.
Taronga had argued Sydney Zoo could not bear the ‘Sydney’ name because it was “clearly” in “western Sydney”.
Mr Burgess said the companies had agreed on parameters to distinguish the two ventures, including using separate geographical locaters and imagery.
“Taronga has developed a series of iconic imagery,” he said. “They’re keen to see us not use imagery that is substantially similar.”
Sydney Zoo had to avoid using images containing iconic Sydney such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House in its branding, Mr Burgess said.
“We have to build our own brand, so we’re happy to do that. It would be disingenuous of us to use that type of imagery,” he said.
The joint statement said the two zoos “looked forward to working together with the shared goal of engaging with the local community and promoting wildlife conservation”.
Sydney Zoo is on track to open in early 2019.