SANFORD, Fla. \u2014 A federal judge has ended a nearly decade-long naming dispute between Central Florida\u2019s two major airports, clearing the way for Orlando Sanford International Airport to trademark its name and logo.<\/p>\n
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida issued a final consent judgment on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, resolving the trademark fight between the Sanford Airport Authority (SAA) and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which operates Orlando International Airport (MCO).<\/p>\n
What it Means<\/p>\n
The ruling secures SAA\u2019s long-standing right to use\u2014and now officially trademark\u2014the \u201cOrlando Sanford International Airport\u201d name and logo, ending years of legal uncertainty.<\/p>\n
How it Started<\/p>\n
SAA initially applied to trademark its airport name and logo in July 2016. GOAA opposed the application, claiming that travelers might confuse the two airports since both include \u201cOrlando\u201d and \u201cInternational\u201d in their names.<\/p>\n
In March 2023, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board found GOAA\u2019s marks \u2018confusingly similar\u201d despite being 31 miles apart. In 2026, the court ruled GOAA couldn\u2019t seek damages due to laches and acquiescence, meaning they waited too long to object. <\/p>\n
The parties then settled, leading to this week\u2019s final judgment. <\/p>\n
For travelers, the decision doesn\u2019t change airport operations or signage but does solidify the legal standing of both airports\u2019 branding as they continue to serve the region.<\/p>\n
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