Starline Tours of Hollywood, Inc. vs. Big Bus Tours Los Angeles, Inc., et al.

Case Background

On October 11, 2019, Starline Tours of Hollywood, Inc. filed a business interference lawsuit against Big Bus L.A. Inc. and Open Top Sightseeing USA alleging unfair competition and interference with contracts. The case was filed in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Judges Michael P. Linfield and Barbara M. Scheper presided over this lawsuit. [Case number: 19STCV36480]

Cause

Starline Tours of Hollywood, Inc. ("Plaintiff" or "Starline") was a California corporation headquartered in Los Angeles. Starline, one of the oldest and most respected sightseeing tour companies in the city, alleged that Defendant Big Bus L.A. entered the Los Angeles tour market in 2019. After obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Big Bus L.A. began operating as a competing tour bus company in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, and Venice Beach. Starline claimed that Big Bus L.A. was controlled by Defendant Open Top Sightseeing USA, which reported significant financial backing to the CPUC, including $90 million in revenue and $45 million in assets. This financial support allowed Big Bus L.A. to launch with 18 double-decker buses and 4 vans. Starline alleged that Open Top directed and financed Big Bus L.A.'s operations, including its unlawful conduct. Starline further asserted that Big Bus L.A. copied its business methods, operating in the same cities and offering similar services. Plaintiff accus