Segal v. Geisha NYC, LLC
This case concerns the national expansion of Japonais, a popular Chicago restaurant located in the River North restaurant district. Japonais founder, Jonathan Segal, appeals from an order dismissing his complaint against Geisha NYC LLC (“Geisha NYC”),and others. Segal’s sole federal claim—a derivative claim he asserts on behalf of Geisha LLC (“Geisha Chicago”) and OSSS Hospitality LLC (“Hospitality Chicago”)—alleges that the defendants misappropriated the Japonais name and design in violation of the Lanham Act, see 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a). The district court dismissed this federal count, and then dismissed the remainder of the complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3). Because Geisha NYC’s trademark use was authorized, we affirm these dismissals.
