A federal judge has instructed the Port of Oakland to cease the use of the name San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport as a new designation for its airport while a lawsuit from the city of San Francisco is in progress.

In a legal action initiated in April, San Francisco alleges trademark infringement and has requested a preliminary injunction from the court, arguing that the change in name leads to public confusion and infringes on copyright.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson agreed with the city’s argument regarding copyright violation, noting that San Francisco has invested millions of dollars in establishing its identity. Consequently, the judge has mandated the removal of all signage reflecting the new airport name.

In response to the ruling, Port of Oakland spokesperson Robert Bernardo stated that officials are currently assessing the decision and exploring potential courses of action, including the possibility of filing an appeal.

The Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland had initially approved the renaming of the airport in May, despite strong opposition from San Francisco officials who claimed the new name would mislead travelers and negatively impact San Francisco’s airport revenue.

Officials from Oakland Airport have argued that tourists unfamiliar with the Bay Area often choose to land at San Francisco International Airport, even when the Oakland airport is closer to their intended destination. They believe that renaming the airport will help clarify that it is the nearest major airport to travelers. They emphasize that the airport’s three-letter code OAK will remain unchanged.

After the vote to rename the airport, Port Commission President Barbara Leslie expressed her support, stating that the new name would clearly indicate that OAK serves 4.1 million people, three national laboratories, the nation’s leading public university, and California’s renowned Wine Country.