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Patagonia Sues Drag Performer Over Trademark, Demands $1

5/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Patagonia sued drag performer Wyn Wiley (stage name Pattie Gonia) in Los Angeles for trademark infringement, seeking $1 plus fees.
Pattie Gonia accused Patagonia of erasing her activist identity and warned the suit could cost her over $1 million in legal fees.
Patagonia said it had three years of dialogue with her and would sue regardless of shared values to protect the trademark.

History

Historical Context

Apple Corps first sued Apple Computer in 1978 over the “Apple” trademark, settling in 1981 for $80,000 and agreeing the computer maker would stay out of music. A later 2007 settlement gave Apple Inc. ownership of the marks and limited Apple Corps’ use. Patagonia’s 2024 lawsuit against activist Wyn Wiley, seeking over $1 million, echoes this long-standing trademark-defence pattern.

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Story summary

Patagonia sued drag performer Wyn Wiley (stage name Pattie Gonia) in Los Angeles for trademark infringement, seeking $1 plus fees.
Pattie Gonia accused Patagonia of erasing her activist identity and warned the suit could cost her over $1 million in legal fees.
Patagonia said it had three years of dialogue with her and would sue regardless of shared values to protect the trademark.

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