Overview
- Patagonia filed a federal trademark lawsuit in January 2026, saying Wyn Wiley, who performs as Pattie Gonia, broke a 2022 understanding by selling Pattie Gonia‑branded apparel and applying to register the name.
- Patagonia posted settlement terms that would require Wiley to withdraw trademark applications, stop using a mountain‑style logo, and cease selling Pattie Gonia apparel, and Wiley publicly rejected the offer.
- Both sides reported they could not reach a deal and have provisionally agreed to take the case to trial in June 2027, a date that must still be set by the judge.
- Lawyers say the court will focus on whether Pattie Gonia’s merchandise creates a likelihood of consumer confusion, what the 2022 meeting actually required, and whether parody or First Amendment defenses apply to commercial sales.
- Beyond legal questions, the dispute highlights how trademark policing can force costly litigation for individual creators, threaten fundraising and advocacy built on merchandise, and reflect tensions as drag personas commercialize their brands.