News
2005-12-10
Dykes on Bikes
trademark name
Officials reverse
an earlier decision in registering the popular lesbian
group
It looks like the
iconic f
It looks like the
iconic female motorcycle enthusiasts known for big
entrances at pride parades across the country won't have to
rename themselves “Gay Women on Two-Wheeled
Road Vehicles” after all. The U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office on Thursday reversed its previous
refusals to trademark the name “Dykes on
Bikes” because it deemed the name derogatory.
“We are thrilled Dykes on Bikes will be
protected under trademark and recognized as a
celebration of our identity,” said Vick
Germany, president of the San Francisco Women’s
Motorcycle Contingent.
The battle for
the name began when the nonprofit San Francisco
Women’s Motorcycle Contingent sought
registration of the name Dykes on Bikes when an
individual, unassociated with the organization, attempted to
use the phrase for commercial purposes and wanted to
charge contingents throughout the country for its use.
Declaring the
name Dykes on Bikes disparaging to lesbians, the Trademark
Office twice rejected the group’s application for a
trademark last year. The National Center for Lesbian
Rights, a legal advocate for gays and lesbians, along
with the Brooke Oliver Law Group, rallied for the
organization, submitting evidence from professionals who
argued dyke had overcome its pejorative nature
and was now seen as an exclamation of pride and
defiance in the community.
Oliver, the lead
attorney on the case, argued that the initial refusals
for trademark rights had nothing to do with keeping lesbians
from being denigrated. “The positive spirit and
legitimacy of Dykes on Bikes has been
vindicated. We are delighted that we have reversed this
official federal position of bigotry,” she said.
(Advocate.com)
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