Drag queen Pattie Gonia says Patagonia are ‘trying to erase an activist’ in legal battle
The brand Patagonia has sued drag queen Pattie Gonia for trademark infringement. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images/ Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Patagonia has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Pattie Gonia (Wyn Wiley), an environmentalist drag queen who has raised nearly $4million for climate nonprofits.
The outdoor clothing company sued Wiley on January 21 in federal court in Los Angeles, claiming that Wiley’s September trademark application to use “Pattie Gonia” for clothing and environmental activism would “irreparably harm” the brand.
Patagonia is only seeking $1 in damages plus legal fees, but Wiley has pointed out the real cost: fighting to keep their drag name would rack up thousands in legal fees, money that could go toward environmental causes instead.
“This is not a brand conflict,” Wiley said in a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday, May 27. “This is a corporation trying to erase an activist. This is how corporations bully individuals who cannot match their resources.”
Wiley has spent eight years building a community of over 3million people, raising almost $4million for environmental nonprofits.
In an open letter to Patagonia’s CEO and board, Pattie Gonia questioned the company’s commitment to its stated mission: “If Patagonia is ‘in business to save the home planet,’ why are they suing a climate activist?”
The drag queen acknowledged their merch involved “playful parody” of Patagonia but denied ever using the company’s branding, logo, or font. “Drag is built on parody, puns and jokes,” they noted.
Patagonia responded with a statement saying: “Over the past several years, we’ve tried to find a path forward that would allow Pattie Gonia to continue their work while also protecting the Patagonia trademark… Unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement.”
The company added: “This matter is not about seeking financial gain, nor is it about challenging anyone’s identity or right to advocacy, protest, or creative expression. The last thing we wanted was a legal fight with someone who shares our values.”
“You are what you do, not what you say you are,” the drag queen told Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard, referencing his own words about corporate action matching values.
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