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Patagonia has filed a lawsuit against environmental queen Pattie Gonia, who accused the outdoor clothing company of “trying to wipe out the opposition”.
Wyn Wiley, who performs as Pattie Gonia, has gained millions of followers online because of their natural activitiesraising nearly $4m for non-profits to date. Last year he raised $1m while walking 100 miles of hard work from Point Reyes on the ocean to San Francisco.
Patagonia, which takes its name from the largest area in Argentina and Chile, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Wiley on January 21. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles.
The company, which is suing Wiley for a “nominal” $1 in damages and legal fees, said it took action after Wiley filed a notice in September to use Pattie Gonia’s brand to sell clothing and promote environmental awareness, which it says could “damage” its brand.
“While we wish we hadn’t done this – and argued with Pattie for several years to avoid this – it has been necessary to protect the brand we’ve been building for the past 50 years,” the company said in January.
“We want Pattie to have a long and successful career and move forward on important issues – but in a way that respects Patagonia’s philosophy and the ability to use our brand to sell products and promote the environment.”
On Wednesday, Wiley publicly pleaded guilty to the charges for the first time in the video on Instagram, and shared a letter sent to Patagonia’s board of directors asking them to drop the case.
“This is a betrayal of Patagonia’s core mission. Because if they are ‘in the business of saving the planet’, why are they suing a climate activist?” Wiley said.
“In the last four months since this case, I have been silent and used every way I could to resolve it without going to court. But in the end, I had two choices. Clear my name, my promotion, my community, and everyone I employ. Or fight for myself and fight for us.”
Wiley said that even though Patagonia said they would only pay them $1, the fees to keep their name are costing a lot of money.
“This is not a racial conflict,” Wiley said. “This is an organization that wants to wipe out human rights activists. This is how corporations abuse people who can’t match their wealth.”
Wylie admitted that their product played a role in Patagonia’s “humor,” but denied using its trademark, logo or characters, adding: “The pull is made of humor, humor and humor.”
Patagonia’s social media was flooded and thousands of comments from fans of Pattie Gonia asking the company to drop the lawsuit.
In a statement, Patagonia told the Guardian: “Over the past few years, we have tried to find a way that would allow Pattie Gonia to continue their work and protect the Patagonia brand.” These negotiations have included several proposals – each of which was intended to support the process – as well as continuous negotiations and concrete efforts to prevent this from happening in court. Unfortunately, we did not reach an agreement.
“This story is not about seeking financial gain, nor is it to challenge the knowledge of any person or that they have the right to be independent, critical, or talented.
In 2022, the founder of Patagonia Yvon Chouinard he gave the whole company to a specially created and not-for-profit trust designed to contribute all of the company’s profits to saving the planet. “From now on, Earth is the sole owner,” the company said at the time.
Patagonia was originally called Chouinard Equipment, but Chouinard changed it after a life-changing trip to Patagonia with his best friend, Doug Tompkins, who founded the outdoor company North Face.
