Mush for a Cure coordinators Mary Black (left) and Sue Prom were pleased to hear that they will be able to trademark the event name—Mush for a Cure!
The 2011 Mush for a Cure (MFAC) was almost de-railed—or renamed—thanks to threatened legal action from Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. The little dog-sled-race –that-could was advised to trademark its name after its fourth successful event. In 2010 MFAC had 52 participants and raised over $23,000. However, when Mush for a Cure submitted its application, it came to the attention of the Komen Foundation. The national foundation disputed Mush for a Cure’s right to use the phrase “for a cure.”
The Komen Foundation didn’t just dispute the mushing organization—other groups, such as Cruisin’ for a Cure, Kites for a Cure, and Athletes for a Cure—83 different organizations have faced similar opposition. MFAC Coordinators Mary Black and Sue Prom reported the situation to MFAC fans and before they knew it, they were in the national press spotlight, with a story on the notorious Huffington Post Internet blog and a spot on NBC news. Sue Prom spoke for MFAC, ably explaining that MFAC would rather use the money it raises– $70,000 to date—to work together to fight breast cancer.
Fortunately the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has withdrawn its opposition to the MFAC trademark request. Whether it was because it simply decided to be gracious or because MFAC had acquired its own pro-bono attorney after the NBC report, on February 23, MFAC received a letter from the US Patent & Trademark Office announcing that the opposition had been withdrawn.
The event would have gone on regardless, but it might have been under a different name—something fans did not want to see. Happily, that will not happen and the community can once again come together to Mush for a Cure!
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