Scouting America accuses LGBTQ+ travel agency Queer Scout of trademark infringement

"The lawsuit, filed February 25 in federal court in Texas, accuses Holdren's companies, Toro International LLC and Q Tours LLC, of trademark infringement and unfair competition tied to the use of the word 'scout.' Scouting America argues the brand improperly trades on a family of trademarks built around the terms 'SCOUT,' 'SCOUTS,' and 'SCOUTING,' which the organization says have been associated with its youth programs for more than a century."

"We're just a small LGBTQ-owned travel company serving adult travelers. It's really difficult to see how anyone could realistically confuse an LGBTQ tourism brand called Queer Scout with a youth scouting organization."

Sam Castañeda Holdren, an Arizona entrepreneur with no prior connection to Scouting America, faces a federal lawsuit filed in February over his LGBTQ-focused travel brand called Queer Scout. The youth organization, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, alleges trademark infringement and unfair competition, arguing that Holdren's companies improperly trade on their family of trademarks built around 'SCOUT,' 'SCOUTS,' and 'SCOUTING' established over more than a century. The lawsuit seeks to block use of the Queer Scout name, related websites, and social media accounts, plus damages and attorney fees. Holdren contends the lawsuit is surreal, noting his small LGBTQ-owned travel company serves adult travelers and cannot realistically be confused with a youth scouting organization.

Read at Advocate.com