December 07, 2013 (Cochrane, Alberta) – Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio in Cochrane, Alberta has found itself in trademark dispute with Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. over the use of the word Roubaix. Store owner, Dan Richter, a Canadian veteran of the Afghanistan war, claims to have received notice from Specialized’s lawyers demanding that he change the name as they own the trademark on the word Roubaix, which they use to market bicycles, bicycle frames and components. Richter says the situation is devastating and issued press release claiming, “…I invested my life savings, military severance pay, as well as all my Veteran’s Affairs award for my illness into Café Roubaix.” – see the release below and read more in the Calgary Herald.

Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio Release
Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio has been asked to change its name.  A law firm representing Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. has contacted small business owner Dan Richter to request Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio to immediately cease use of the term ROUBAIX and to transfer over the domain name http://www.caferoubaix.ca/ to Specialized.  The law firm representing Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. indicates the term ROUBAIX was registered by Specialized in Canada for use in association with bicycles, bicycle frames and bicycle components.
 
“I had assumed I could not register ROUBAIX as a trade mark as it is a geographical location well known in cycling, not to mention the wide-spread use of the term ROUBAIX throughout the industry.  I thought I could freely use ROUBAIX,” Café Roubaix’s Dan Richter explains his situation, “To be informed I cannot use the name is devastating.  I invested my life savings, military severance pay, as well as all my Veteran’s Affairs award for my illness into Café Roubaix.”

Dan Richter was medically released in 2012 after developing PSTD during a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan.  He opened his small full service bicycle shop in Cochrane, Alberta on March 1st, 2013.  Focusing on the operation of Café Roubaix has greatly aided Dan Richter in his ongoing recovery.

The name Café Roubaix was chosen in honour of one of the oldest cycling race, Paris-Roubaix, which first ran in 1896.  Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio has sought legal assistance in determining whether ROUBAIX can be registered in Canada.  All attempts will be made by Dan Richter to continue his presence in the local bicycling industry.  He does not want to close his doors.