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The Ravenna Tribunal in Italy sentenced a Cuban couple to four months of confinement and a fine of 3,000 euros for the unauthorized use of the name and image of the renowned Neapolitan chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo, who has a total of nine Michelin stars across his various restaurants.
The ruling came after investigations revealed that the defendants, who operated the Saporetti restaurant-pizzeria in Marina di Ravenna, used the chef's name to promote their business from September to December 2019.
The case arose after a fan of Cannavacciuolo alerted people via Facebook about the existence of a menu bearing his name during the reopening of the restaurant.
Additionally, a mobile billboard featuring the chef's photo was discovered, which he described as "completely unjustified" in his statement to the court.
El Saporetti, which once became a benchmark of gastronomy in Ravenna and attracted personalities such as the Italian entrepreneur Raúl Gardini, has reopened under the management of a Cuban couple, who reportedly employed marketing tactics associated with the image of Cannavacciuolo.
According to the defendants, the use of the chef's name was justified because the Cuban involved in the case had participated in the 2016 television program Cucine da incubo (the Italian version of Kitchen Nightmares), hosted by Cannavacciuolo.
However, the chef denied having authorized the use of his name or image, which have been protected as a registered trademark since 2017.
"I have no collaboration with that restaurant, and I have not given permission to use my name or my photo," Cannavacciuolo stated during the trial, according to reports from the Italian press.
After the report, the chef instructed his secretary to call the restaurant pretending to be a interested customer.
The conversation was recorded as evidence and confirmed that the establishment’s staff stated the menu had been designed by Cannavacciuolo, strengthening suspicions of wrongdoing.
The trial also involved an administrator from Brescia who worked with the couple, although he was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
For its part, the defense of the Cubans, led by lawyer Massimo Pleiadi, argued that the use of the name was misinterpreted, but it failed to prevent the conviction.
The couple currently operates a restaurant in Reggio Emilia, in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, and has announced that they will appeal the ruling.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Legal Case of Cubans in Italy
Why were the Cuban couple convicted in Italy?
The Cuban couple was convicted for using the name and image of chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo without permission to promote their restaurant. This included creating a menu that featured the chef's name and using his image on an advertising poster. The sentence from the Ravenna Court included four months of confinement and a fine of 3,000 euros.
What did the Cuban couple argue to justify the use of chef Cannavacciuolo's name?
The defense of the Cubans argued that the use of the chef's name was justified by the defendant’s participation in a television program hosted by him. However, Cannavacciuolo denied having authorized the use of his name or image, which led to the couple's conviction.
What legal actions does the couple plan to take following the conviction?
After the conviction, the Cuban couple announced that they would appeal the sentence. They are currently managing a new restaurant in Reggio Emilia, in the Emilia-Romagna region, and hope to overturn the court's decision through the appeals process.
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