Out Of The Closet Store Agrees To Change Name

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) the operator of the fundraising 'Out of the Closet' thrift store chain in California and Florida, has reached agreement to resolve the issue of trademark infringement with the operator of a private, for-profit Alaska consignment shop of the same name that was cited by Republican Vice Presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin during the presidential campaign as her favorite store. The Alaska consignment store came to national attention following revelations that the Republican National Committee (RNC) spent over $150,000 on a campaign wardrobe and other clothing for Governor Palin and her family. During a subsequent interview, Governor Palin noted that she and her family were, in fact, quite frugal shoppers who favor Alaska's 'Out of the Closet' store, a for profit resale store based in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Alaska store had apparently been operating for five years under the same 'Out of the Closet' name as AHF's fundraising chain--which first opened in 1990--and under the same name for which AHF has had registered federal trademark since 1997. Upon learning of the trademark infringement, AHF attorney Tome Myers issued a cease and desist letter to owner Ellen Arvold, the proprietor of the Alaska store and requested she immediately change the name of her store.

In a letter, Ms. Arvold pledged to honor and fully comply with AHF's federal trademark by changing the name of her own store; however, in her reply, she cited several practical and logistical reasons--replacing store signage, changing bank account names and bank card receipts--while asking for time to make the needed changes. In her letter, Arvold asked: "I am respectfully requesting that AIDS Healthcare Foundation give me until December 31st to effectuate the change of the name of my business." The AHF has assented to Ms. Arvolds request for additional time, according to Michael Weinstein, President of AHF.

Revenues generated by AHF's 'Out of the Closet' contribute to caring for AIDS patients in the US and abroad, as well as supporting AHF's HIV prevention and testing programs worldwide. Information source: Press release from AIDS Healthcare Foundation.