WILLEMSTAD – The Court of First Instance of Curaçao has ordered Kortijn to stop making public statements that could lead consumers to believe that its products are a continuation of products previously sold under the Lovers brand. The ruling was issued on September 8, 2026, in case CUR202602347.
The order specifically covers marketing slogans including “The taste Curaçao knows – now Kortijn” and “same product, same love.” Kortijn is also prohibited from distributing or publishing, both online and offline, materials containing similar messages.
The dispute follows Kortijn’s acquisition of the production activities and assets of the bankrupt Lovers Industrial Corporation earlier this year. The acquisition allowed production to continue and preserved more than 100 jobs, but the Lovers trademark itself was not part of the assets transferred to Kortijn.
That distinction subsequently led to a conflict with Lovers Industrial USA (Liusa), which had previously objected to Kortijn’s transitional advertising. Liusa argued that slogans and presentation used by Kortijn could mislead consumers into believing there was continuity between the Lovers brand and the new Kortijn products.
The court has now imposed a financial penalty to enforce its decision. Kortijn must pay Liusa XCG 5,000 for every day or part of a day that it violates the court’s orders, with the penalties capped at XCG 500,000.
Kortijn was also ordered to pay Liusa’s legal costs. According to the judgment, these include XCG 450 in court registry fees, XCG 404.48 in service costs and XCG 1,500 in attorney fees.
The ruling is provisionally enforceable, meaning Kortijn must comply even if further legal proceedings are pursued.
The court also rejected Kortijn’s counterclaim and ordered the company to pay an additional XCG 750 toward Liusa’s legal representation costs related to that part of the case.
The ruling represents a significant development in the dispute that emerged after Kortijn took over the former Lovers production operation. Kortijn had previously maintained that the branding used during the initial months was temporary while the company developed its own permanent identity. In August, it unveiled new permanent branding intended to distinguish Kortijn from the transitional products introduced following the takeover.
The judgment does not, based on the ruling page provided, prohibit Kortijn from producing or selling its own products. Rather, the order specifically restricts communications that could create the impression that Kortijn’s products are a continuation of products formerly marketed under the Lovers brand.