Outdoor clothing company Patagonia filed the trademark infringement lawsuit on January 21, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Wyn Wiley and Entrepreneur Enterprises Inc. Although the brand previously permitted the persona for activist work, tensions escalated after Wiley sold merchandise in late 2024 and pursued a formal trademark in 2025. Beyond the single dollar in damages, the retailer is asking the court to halt the trademark application and block commercial apparel sales. Patagonia stressed that the dispute is strictly an effort to prevent consumer confusion rather than an attack on Wiley's identity.
Key points
The legal dispute centers on preventing consumer brand confusion rather than extracting m…: The legal dispute centers on preventing consumer brand confusion rather than extracting monetary damages from the activist performer.
Patagonia previously tolerated the activist persona until commercial apparel sales and a…: Patagonia previously tolerated the activist persona until commercial apparel sales and a federal trademark filing emerged.
The retailer stated that the court action is meant to protect intellectual property witho…: The retailer stated that the court action is meant to protect intellectual property without restricting creative expression or outdoor advocacy.
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A drag performer who has raised $3.7 million for environmental causes is locked in a legal battle with one of the world's best-known outdoor clothing companies over a name that has become central to her activism. Pattie Gonia, the stage persona of environmental activist Wyn Wiley, is being sued by Patagonia over alleged trademark infringement. The California-based outdoor apparel company filed the lawsuit in January 2026, claiming that the name, merchandise and designs associated with the performer could create confusion with its established brand. The unusual part of the case is the amount Patagonia is seeking, just $1 in monetary damages. However, the dispute goes beyond money, with the company also seeking restrictions on the use of the name.
Who is Pattie Gonia and how did she become an environmental activist?
Pattie Gonia is the drag persona created by environmental activist and performer Wyn Wiley, who identifies as non-binary. Wiley uses they/them pronouns out of drag, while Pattie Gonia uses she/her pronouns as a drag character. The persona first attracted attention in 2018 after Wiley posted photographs and videos of…
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