Pepe Rosello has lost the right to use the Space Ibiza trademark

A recent court ruling has stripped Space Ibiza founder Pepe Roselló of his rights to the ‘Space’ trademark. The decision was made in favor of Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL, owned by the Matutes family, as reported by Diario de Ibiza.

The commercial court in Valencia annulled Roselló’s 2008 registration of the Space Ibiza trademark due to its similarity to the original logo registered by Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL in 1991. The ruling stated that both logos are almost identical in terms of name and graphic elements, such as the star and sphere.

The brands in question are almost identical phonetically. Space Ibiza Dance versus Space Ibiza, with ‘Dance’ not significantly altering this perception. The most notable aspect when comparing the graphic designs is their essential similarity. Both logos share identical spelling and graphical elements (the star and the sphere) in their shape and location.

Following the ruling, Palladium Hotel Group, which owns Fiesta Hotels & Resorts SL, demanded that the Space Ibiza event at Eden nightclub be discontinued. The decision also impacts related trademarks, including Space Dance Barcelona and Space Dance Madrid.

Palladium Group declared they are fully entitled to use the Space logo for their events. In response, Roselló said he respects the ruling but will appeal. He noted that the ruling only affects the Space Ibiza brand within Spain, not other international trademarks, including a new venue in Riccione, Italy.

This ruling is the latest in a long legal battle between Roselló and the Matutes family over the Space nightclub brand. Roselló first leased the venue from Matutes in 1989 and managed it until its closure in 2016. Since then, he has hosted events across Europe under the Space Ibiza name, while the original site is now Hï Ibiza, owned by Palladium Hotel Group’s Ushuaïa Entertainment.

Rumors of Space Ibiza reopening have circulated since its 2016 closure, with recent speculation in 2021 about a new bar, restaurant, and club night in Ibiza’s San Antonio. Space Ibiza was named the World’s No. 1 Club six times in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs poll.