Is “urban homesteading” over?

A recent flurry of Internet articles has brought to light a very interesting case of trademark infringement. The Dervaes Institute, an incorporated church that has operated in California since 1985, has a trademark claim on “urban homesteading” and derivates of the phrase. Just recently, a group of organizations such as “Denver Urban Homesteading” had their Facebook pages shut down. Apparently, blogs that use their trademark phrase have also been shut down. Furthermore, the Westwordis reporting that the Dervaes Institute sent out a cease-and-desist letter to a publishing company that has printed books such as “The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City.” It looks like the phrase might no longer be used to describe the city farming movement any longer.

But what implications does this trademark case have for the urban farming movement? None at all, but it is both entertaining and ironic.  As the Dervaes Institute states themselves, an “urban homesteader” is “someone participating in the movement of 21st century eco-pioneers striving to create a better world for themselves and others” and “a person who practices self-sufficiency through home food production and simple living in a city or suburban environment.” Who would have thought the self-sufficient “urban homesteader” would be so dependent on their lawyer?

Check out the article from the Westwordfor more details.