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`Dykes on Bikes' OK'd for trademark status
Bay City News Service
SAN FRANCISCO - Reversing its previous decision, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has agreed to grant trademark status to `Dykes on Bikes,' according to the San Francisco-based non-profit lesbian motorcycle group. ``We've been working on this a couple of years,'' said Brooke Oliver, the lead attorney in the case and the founder and managing attorney of the Brooke Oliver Law Group. ``It's gone back and forth between us and the trademark office.'' Oliver said the Patent and Trademark Office announced its decision on Monday after previously refusing to patent the name because ``dyke'' was traditionally considered a disparaging term for lesbians. But Oliver said gay women have reclaimed the word and the connotation has changed. The word ``is something of pride, not something derogatory,'' she said. The San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent has operated in the Bay Area for about the last 30 years, and used the name ``Dykes on Bikes'' to promote their non-profit activities, Oliver said. After receiving word of the initial refusal to grant the trademark, the group appealed to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, she said. A few months ago, the board, convinced by the group's argument and testimony from more than 20 experts, ordered the trademark office to reconsider the case. After further evidence was submitted, including the fact that the TV show ``Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,'' received trademark approval, the trademark office reversed its decision and is expected to issue the trademark in the next few months. Group officials had not sought a trademark until someone associated with the organization attempted to use the name for commercial purposes, according to Oliver. ``They felt quite strongly that the mark should continue to be reserved'' for non-profit purposes, Oliver said, adding that the group has allowed other non-profit groups across the country to use the name for gay pride events. ``Nobody should be able to profit commercially from years and years of activism,'' she said. | 
