San Francisco accused of 'bullying' lawsuit to stop 'confusing' Oakland airport name change: 'Stay away from our brand'

It would be geddaboutit!

San Francisco has been accused of “heresy” after slapping nearby Oakland with a trademark lawsuit – with Crosby sternly warning rivals to “stay away” from his brand.

The Bay's brouhaha began after Berg Gertrude Stein once described “not being there” as its airport (OAK) — formerly known as “Metropolitan Oakland International” — expanded into “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.”

Port of Oakland officials said the move was designed to better inform travelers about the airport's location.

“The convenience and comfort of travel through OAK will not change with our name,” Craig Simon, the port's interim director of aviation, assured reporters earlier this year.

“OAK is the closest major airport to 58 percent of the Bay Area population. The counties closest to OAK have a combined population of 4.1 million, compared to 1.5 million in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. This designation will tell the world who we serve,” explained Simon.

But critics – starting with neighbors over the bridge – were less than impressed.

Now, San Francisco City Attorney David Chew is calling for a ground stop against the port, accusing them of “intentionally and knowingly capitalizing on confusion,” CNN Travel reports.

“We are already seeing traveler confusion about the use of Oakland's new name. It was completely predictable and preventable,” Chew said in a statement released to media.

“San Francisco has invested millions to make San Francisco International Airport the world-class airport it is today. We have built an incredible brand that we must protect. Oakland has a trademark for Oakland International Airport. It should be used and kept away from San Francisco's brand,” sniped the city's legal honcho.

Port representatives were quick to water down the demand.

“The San Francisco City Attorney's Office's recent injunctive relief request is a continuation of tactics rooted in publicity and anti-competitive bullying,” Port Attorney Mary Richardson responded in a statement of her own.

“The Port of Auckland, which owns and operates OAK, filed a counterclaim against the SFO and has yet to receive a response. Indeed, at the SFO's request, OAK agreed to an extension to respond to the SFO's demands.

“Unfortunately, it appears that the SFO sought to create confusion under the guise of legal filings and attempt to wipe OAK off the map,” Richardson claimed.

The municipal move comes as crime-ridden Oakland has recently been reeling after losing three major-league sports franchises.

The Athletics played their final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday before a controversial move to Las Vegas.

In 2020 the Raiders set off for Sin City. The Golden State Warriors moved to San Francisco in 2019.

In the A's final game against the Texas Rangers, 'Sell the Team!' The slogan was toward owner John Fisher and fans throwing smoke bombs onto the field,” the Post reported.