Eagles settle 'Hotel California' legal fight after false claims by Mexican hotel

19 January 2018, 12:18 | Updated: 24 June 2018, 12:31

The surviving members of the Eagles have settled a court case against a Mexican hotel that named itself after their most famous song.

Both sides agreed to stop legal proceedings after the hotel's owners withdrew their application to trademark the name Hotel California in the States.

"This case has been settled by mutual agreement," said Thomas Jirgal, the band's lawyer.

The group claimed that the hotel "actively encouraged" guests to believe it was associated with them, and perhaps the inspiration behind the classic song.

They said the owners also played Eagles songs in the lobby, and sold 'Hotel California' T-shirts, fridge magnets and posters.

"Multiple online reviews make clear" that visitors were tricked, they added. The hotel denied any wrongdoing, and said it was unlikely that fans would be confused.

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'Hotel California' is the famous title track from the band's 1976 album, and won the 1977 Grammy Award for record of the year. Amazingly, it was their only UK top 10 hit, peaking at number 8.

The song isn't actually based on any particular place, but the building pictured on the album cover is the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In a ironic twist, the band used the photo without permission, which nearly landed them in court. However, the hotel had seen its bookings triple after the album came out, so they thought against it.