A small inn in Hebei Province is facing a trademark lawsuit and a 100,000 yuan compensation claim from the well-known hotel chain All Seasons Hotel over its name. The owner, Ms. Zhao, expressed distress, stating that her inn operates with only 10 rooms, averaging a daily rate of 60 to 70 yuan per room. She emphasized that the inn’s name was approved by relevant regulatory authorities and that it holds a legitimate business license, operating in full compliance with the law.

Ms. Zhao explained that the inn's storefront, decoration style, business scale, and operations are completely different from the All Seasons Hotel chain. She denied any intention to capitalize on the brand’s popularity, tearfully stating, "Since receiving the court summons, I haven't been able to sleep a wink, night after night. The 100,000 yuan compensation is something my family couldn't scrape together even if we sold everything we own."

The lawsuit claims that the names "Jinji" and "All Seasons Hotel" differ by only one character and are visually similar, constituting trademark infringement. When contacted for comment, the plaintiff's lawyer declined to be interviewed, citing inconvenience.

The case highlights the legal challenges small businesses can face when their names inadvertently resemble those of larger corporations, even when operating in entirely different market segments.