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Denizen Will Not Be Making Any Progress For a While

We reported earlier this week that Hilton had halted development of Denizen (per a Hilton press release), but now Starwood is speaking out (i.e. issuing their own press release) saying that a judge has actually entered a Preliminary Injunction with Hilton, Mr. Klein and Mr. Lalvani — the Starwood-turned-Hilton employees who allegedly stole the Starwood documents and trade secrets to develop Denizen — enjoining them from:

· Developing further the Denizen Hotels brand. This requires that all internal and external design, branding, development, promotion, programming, staffing and marketing of the Denizen Hotels brand cease.
· Engaging in any discussions or negotiations with prospective owners, developers and/or franchisees relating to the Denizen Hotels brand.
· Using, directly or indirectly, in any way the documents and electronic information obtained from Starwood (the "Starwood Information") or any information contained in or derived from the Starwood Information.

Ugh. Now, a question: if you were a prospective owner, developer, or franchisee, wouldn't you be inclined to, oh, we don't know...talk to the folks over at Edition about perhaps making a deal? We would.