Hemingway's in Galveston suffers an 'Old Man and the Sea'-sized setback

Hemingway's in Galveston is forced to change their name after Hemingway, Ltd. said the bar must pay a licensing fee in order to use the moniker. While the bar undergoes a rewrite, take a look at Houston's literary-themed bars and restaurants. less Hemingway's in Galveston is forced to change their name after Hemingway, Ltd. said the bar must pay a licensing fee in order to use the moniker. While the bar undergoes a rewrite, take a look at Houston's ... more Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Hemingway's in Galveston suffers an 'Old Man and the Sea'-sized setback 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

July 21 marks Ernest Hemingway's birthday. The "Old Man and the Sea" writer's life was undoubtedly marked by metaphorical choppy seas; something that a Galveston bar knows all too well.

Hemingway's (904 Ave. M) is currently undergoing turbulence of their own, according to owner James Cunningham. He says Hemingway, Ltd. wants to charge them a hefty licensing fee to use the famous moniker, so now he's forced to change the name altogether.

David Stickles, an agent with Fashion Licensing of America, the licensing agency for Hemingway, Ltd., confirmed the Hemingway family has trademarked the name and the Galveston bar is not allowed to use it without a license.

"It's one of those things where they have a whole bunch of money, and I have none," said Cunningham.

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Why Hemingway, Ltd. is going after the Galveston bar is a mystery to Cunningham. He says the small bar, which is primarily filled with locals, has no likeness or images of the famous author -- it's just the name. What's more, the owner says he contacted five or six other bars across America with the same name and found out they did not have to pay a fee.

"It's frustrating. It's a setback. There are always setbacks but this one stings," said Cunningham.

It may sting, but he's not going down without a fight.

Cunningham is holding a contest to rename the bar, and patrons have already taken to Facebook with a few creative entries, including Hemingwaves. Just one problem, though: The name can't resemble Ernest's in any way.

With the bar's one year anniversary approaching on Aug. 1, Cunningham says he hopes to have a name picked out by the first week of the month.

While Hemingway's undergoes a re-write, there are bars and restaurants in Houston that give three cheers for book nerds. Take a look at the gallery above for Houston's literary-themed spots.