WILLEMSTAD – Kortijn has issued a public response to the September 8 court ruling involving the Lovers brand, emphasizing that the summary proceedings did not definitively determine who owns the Lovers trademark and that the broader legal dispute remains unresolved.
In its statement, Kortijn said it had taken note of the ruling and stressed that the decision was issued in summary proceedings. According to the company, the court itself made clear that it could not definitively determine ownership of the Lovers trademark in this type of proceeding.
Kortijn also highlighted the part of the ruling concerning recipes. The company said the court rejected Lovers USA’s request to prohibit Kortijn from using Lovers recipes because it had not been demonstrated that Kortijn was using those recipes.
Kortijn maintains that it has been producing its products using its own recipes from the beginning.
The company further said it considers its products to be of superior quality, claiming they contain more fruit pulp and less sugar.
Kortijn’s statement comes after the court ordered the company to stop making public communications that could suggest its products are a continuation of products previously sold under the Lovers brand. The court specifically addressed promotional language including “The taste Curaçao knows – now Kortijn” and “same product, same love.”
The ruling therefore placed restrictions on how Kortijn may market its connection to the former Lovers products, while the company now stresses that the court did not grant Lovers USA’s request concerning the alleged use of its recipes.
Kortijn said it will continue operating and pointed to the employment it provides in Curaçao. According to management, the company currently supports more than 150 households through local employment and continues producing ice cream, fresh juices and other products locally.
The company also indicated that the legal battle is not finished. Kortijn said the matter will return to court for a more extensive assessment, suggesting that the underlying dispute will continue beyond the September 8 summary judgment.
In closing, Kortijn called on Curaçao consumers to continue buying its products and supporting a locally operating company employing Curaçao workers.
The latest statement adds Kortijn’s response to a dispute that centers not only on branding and marketing, but also on trademark ownership, recipes and the commercial legacy of the former Lovers operation.