Next year's 4th of July will mark 250 years since our Declaration of Independence, a momentous occasion where We the People will celebrate 250 years of American independence and prosperity. However, this celebration is at risk of being tainted by a bureaucratic nightmare. The America 250 organization, part of the U.S. Semiquincentennial commission created by congress under President Obama, was started with the purpose of planning this celebration, which is a good cause, except the organization has trademarked the term “America 250”, requiring anyone who wants to make their own creative work related to the national event to go through them. The organization copyright struck some digital artwork of mine that had the words "Salute to America 250", just because the words "America 250" were in there. This is unbelievable overreach over what is supposed to be a national public event, and it has me worried about the effect it will have on millions of Americans and the celebration of this milestone.

First and foremost, copyright law is intended to protect distinctive marks associated with goods or services, not to monopolize public events or national holidays. The term “America 250” is a descriptive phrase directly tied to the 250th anniversary of the founding of these United States, a shared moment in our nation’s history. By granting or maintaining a trademark on this term, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) risks allowing the America 250 organization to control how millions of Americans celebrate this occasion, undermining the communal spirit of our Independence Day. No organization should hold exclusive rights to a phrase so closely associated with a universal milestone.

Additionally, the trademark on “America 250” could lead to legal disputes over what constitutes infringement, creating confusion and fear among individuals, businesses, and communities planning their own celebrations. Already the organization is taking down artwork just for having the words "America 250", so will small businesses face cease-and-desist letters for using the phrase in patriotic promotions? Will local governments need permission to host “America 250” events? Such outcomes are not only logistically impractical but also contrary to the principles of free expression and public participation that the Declaration of Independence represents.

The America 250 organization's attempt to trademark this national milestone constitutes an absurd and laughable overreach; they may as well trademark Leap Day while they’re at it. The 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence should be an open, inclusive event where every American can freely express their patriotism and pride without fear of legal repercussions. This celebration should unite the nation, not divide it through bureaucratic gatekeeping, and it would be a tragedy for copyright overreach to ruin such a precious occasion.

With the 250th anniversary approaching, there is still time to ensure this historic moment remains free from undue restrictions. For all of the reasons listed above, I am urging the USPTO to review and, if necessary, cancel the trademark registration for “America 250” on grounds that it is descriptive, generic, or contrary to the public interest. I also call on congress to exercise its oversight authority over the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to direct the abandonment of the trademark, potentially through legislation or hearings to clarify the commission’s role. Influence from the U.S. Departments of Commerce and the Interior, and if necessary the Oval Office, would do good to compel the removal of this trademark as well.

Whether through administrative review, legislative measures, policy guidance, or executive influence—it is in the best interest of this great nation to ensure the trademark on “America 250” does not impede the people’s right to celebrate. We the People must honor the spirit of 1776 by keeping this milestone free for all!

Side note, their logo is terrible.