WTR reports
- The owner of the Proud Boys trademark, a former member, surrenders registration
- Tells WTR that Proud Boys brand become “more and more toxic” since Nov 2020
- Move comes after Canadian government officially labels Proud Boys a ‘terrorist entity’
In an exclusive interview with WTR, the owner of the Proud Boys US trademark registration (and former member of the far-right organisation) reveals why he has surrendered the mark, and why he expects the USPTO will refuse any future attempt for registered rights in the group’s name.
Last month, WTR reported on a trademark related to the Proud Boys group in the wake of the attack on the US Capitol in Washington DC. At that time, members of the far-right political organisation, which was founded in 2016, were reported to be celebrating their role in the day’s events. Since then, law enforcement has been investigating what role the group played in the Capitol riot, with seven members facing charges in connection to the riot, including three on conspiracy charges. Meanwhile, the Canadian government last week labelled the Proud Boys a “terrorist entity” for “engaging in political violence and espousing misogynistic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant and white supremacist rhetoric”.
The use of a trademark is notable due to the Proud Boys adoption of a brand identity – including members often wearing distinctive dress (previously Fred Perry black/yellow/yellow twin-tipped shirts) and the sale of official merchandise. The PROUD BOYS trademark was filed in August 2017 – approximately a year after the group formed – by Texas attorney Jason Lee Van Dyke, who at that time was ‘sergeant-at-arms’ of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the Proud Boys and acted as the organisation’s legal counsel. It was primarily used, he added, to stop ‘unauthorised’ chapters and merchandise. However, he confirmed to WTR last month that he is “no longer a member” of the group or representing it in any capacity. Nonetheless, he still held the trademark rights.
However, that is set to change. Talking to WTR over the weekend, Van Dyke confirmed that he has submitted documents to the USPTO to surrender the PROUD BOYS registered trademark. In the document (which can be viewed here), the reason given is that use of the mark “was discontinued” and “there is no intent to ever resume such use”.
Asked why, after holding the trademark for years, he decided to give it up now, Van Dyke said it was due to recent events. “I re-established my law practice in November of last year and, since that time, the organisation continued to make its own brand more and more toxic,” he says. “I spent a great deal of time and money trying to help that group, and the favour was returned by them essentially spitting in my face.”
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