Eventus Wins One for The Queen

The World Intellectual Property Organization’s ruling transfers the domain CeliaCruz.com to the Queen of Salsa’s Estate

MIAMI, April 2 /PRNewswire/ — Eventus, the leading national Hispanic full-service experiential marketing, sports and entertainment company, announced today that the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center, ruled in favor of Eventus’ claim to have the rights to the domain name celiacruz.com revert to the Queen of Salsa’s estate. As the official representative of the Celia Cruz estate, Eventus filed a complaint in January before WIPO, seizing the domain name from a Cayman Island-based corporation.

“We are thrilled to have won this one for Celia. Taking back the domain name is an important step in our pursuit to help the estate preserve her legacy. Celia Cruz’ music continues to bring joy and enrich the lives of so many of her fans worldwide; controlling the domain name guarantees that her legacy and music will be enjoyed by generations to come,” said Nelson Albareda, CEO of Eventus.

Celia Cruz was internationally recognized as the “Queen of Salsa” and during her lifetime received countless awards and honors including three GRAMMY(R) Awards, four Latin GRAMMY(R)s, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Smithsonian Institution, among other accolades. In 1994, US President Bill Clinton awarded her the highest honor the country bestows upon an artist: the National Endowment for the Arts. Celia recorded over 78 albums, many of which obtained platinum status and have been distributed worldwide.

“I am pleased with the decision. While Celia was alive, she always desired her own domain and I am delighted to fulfill her dream. This is another important step the estate has taken in perpetuating her memory. I appreciate the tenacity that Eventus displayed in getting back what was rightfully Celia’s,” said Omer Pardillo-Cid, sole executor of the Celia Cruz Estate.

The complaint to WIPO was filed by Eventus’ Business Affairs and Development Manager Pierre Hachar. WIPO’s ruling was dated March 5, 2009 affirming “for all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain name celiacruz.com be transferred to Complainant.”

The Celia Cruz Estate and Eventus Entertainment are jointly developing a comprehensive global strategy to keep her legacy alive with the millions of loyal Celia fans worldwide, and to reach a new generation of fans who will be introduced to her timeless music.

About Eventus

Eventus is the leading national full-service Hispanic experiential marketing, sports and entertainment company with corporate offices in Miami. Its mission is to continuously deliver innovative event properties and integrated promotional programs targeting the U.S. Hispanic market. Eventus entertainment’s division is focused on reaching Latin music fans globally through content development, live entertainment, publishing, and booking and management. For more information on Eventus, visit www.eventusmarketing.com.

SOURCE Eventus