Drag Performer and Climate Activist Pattie Gonia Airs Dispute With Patagonia

Professor Alexandra Roberts, faculty director of the Center for Law, Information and Creativity, is quoted in WWD on the trademark dispute between Patagonia and drag performer and climate activist Pattie Gonia. Roberts noted that Patagonia is not seeking to end the use of the stage name altogether, but rather to avoid commercial use that creates a likelihood of confusion or dilution — and pushed back on the notion that brands are legally obligated to pursue every potential infringement aggressively. “The supposed ‘duty to police’ in trademark law is often overblown,” she said.