Oakland International Airport can continue using "San Francisco" in its name under a settlement agreement that resolves a two-year trademark dispute with the city of San Francisco. The deal permits the current name "Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport" while imposing marketing restrictions that prevent Oakland from prominently featuring the San Francisco reference.

The conflict began in March 2024 when Oakland officials renamed the struggling airport from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. City leaders argued that including San Francisco would help travelers unfamiliar with the Bay Area recognize Oakland's proximity to their destination. San Francisco sued, claiming trademark violation and unfair competition, and a federal judge issued an injunction in November 2024.

Under the settlement terms, Oakland must always precede "San Francisco" in marketing materials and cannot accentuate those words through font or color choices. The agreement reflects both cities' recognition that increased regional tourism benefits the entire Bay Area economy.

Despite the legal resolution, Oakland's passenger traffic declined approximately 14 percent year over year as of February, raising questions about whether the rebranding strategy will achieve its intended goal of boosting the airport's competitiveness against its larger neighbor.