At the centre of the dispute is a licensing agreement signed in 2013 between the practice and the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the organisation that manages the architect’s archive and cultural legacy. The agreement allowed the studio to continue using the name “Zaha Hadid” in exchange for an annual royalty reportedly equal to six per cent of its revenue.
After Hadid’s death in 2016, leadership of the firm passed to longtime collaborator Patrik Schumacher, who now serves as principal of the London-based practice. He initiated legal proceedings against the foundation, arguing that the agreement was not intended to remain in force indefinitely.
A recent decision by the UK Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the studio, determining that the agreement can be reconsidered and potentially terminated. The ruling overturns the previous interpretation and opens the door to a possible name change.