Patagonia Sues Drag Performer Pattie Gonia for Trademark Infringement Over Apparel Sales

Patagonia filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Wyn Wiley in January 2026. Wiley performs under the name Pattie Gonia and began selling apparel branded with that name online in 2025. The complaint states that Wiley has transformed the name Pattie Gonia into a commercial enterprise rather than limiting it to a discrete persona for activism.

Patagonia said the actions are causing the company irreparable harm. Wiley filed a trademark application for the Pattie Gonia name after Patagonia asked him to stop selling the merchandise. He later agreed to restrict use of the name on fonts or designs that imitate Patagonia’s materials.

Patagonia stated it would be willing to resolve the lawsuit if Wiley stops selling merchandise under the drag name and agrees not to use the company’s logo. The company posted a statement on Facebook saying it had hoped not to take legal action. "We want to acknowledge any hurt it [the lawsuit] has caused, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.

We don’t want to argue trademark law on social media. we continue to want to resolve this," the company said. Wiley spoke publicly about the case for the first time last week on Instagram.

He said he had tried to resolve the matter over the last few months without going to court and that complying with Patagonia’s wishes would require him to stop using the name and end his advocacy. Wiley called on supporters to demand that Patagonia drop the lawsuit.