Patagonia Sues Pattie Gonia Over Trademark Use as Drag Activist Tops 1.8 Million Instagram Followers
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
Patagonia Sues Pattie Gonia Over Trademark Use as Drag Activist Tops 1.8 Million Instagram Followers
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 2
A January lawsuit accuses Pattie Gonia of trademark infringement, with Patagonia arguing the drag persona evolved from activism into a commercial enterprise that now causes irreparable harm to its brand.
Patagonia’s case centers on the name’s use in branding and services, while Pattie Gonia said on social media last week that the company is trying to take away the name permanently and urged it to drop the suit.
Pattie Gonia, created by Wyn Wiley in 2018, built a national profile through climate-themed drag shows and outdoor advocacy aimed at queer people, people of color and lower-income communities.
The dispute is likely to test how far First Amendment and parody protections extend in trademark fights, especially when an activist persona also operates as a business.