“Citizens United” to Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: stop using our name

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign today received by certified mail a letter from a Virginia law firm representing the group Citizens United claiming that a protest of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission organized by WDC represents trademark infringement. Read the letter.

The letter demands that WDC “immediately cease” using the words “Citizens United” and “destroy all writings” with references to the name. After the Supreme Court decision in the case was issued on January 21, WDC started a protest of the ruling that we called “Citizens United Against Citizens United” that included an online petition and a Facebook page. The effort was clearly described both places as a protest of the court’s ruling organized by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

“The irony here is that the group described the outcome of the case as a great victory for the First Amendment and free speech, but now is seeking to stifle the speech of another group that has a different view of the court decision’s implications for political speech and the health of our democracy,” Mike McCabe, director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campain, said.

Check out the recent post on WDC’s “March to Overrule the Court” – where hundreds turned out to protest the U.S. Supreme Court ruling – with links to photos and video.

Wisconsin news media have picked up the story:

The Capital Times - Citizens United to Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: Stop using name to protest ruling

WTAQ - “Citizens United” Tells Group Stop Using Our Name

Fox 6 - Citizens United asks Wis. group to stop using name in campaign to overturn campaign ruling