Eugene Chapter of UO "Gender Neutral Frarority" Sparked Suit

By ANDREA DAMEWOOD

Delta Lambda Phi, a gay fraternity suing Delta Lambda Psi, a "gender-neutral frarority" for copyright infringement, said Delta Lambda Psi's decision to open a chapter at the University of Oregon was the last straw.

The fraternity filed suit in U.S. District Court in Eugene. It claims that Delta Lambda Psi, a small Greek organization founded in 2005 in Santa Cruz, Calif., with chapters in Eugene and at Northeastern Illinois University, is trading on the name of the larger, older Delta Lambda Phi. Delta Lambda Phi was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and has more than 30 chapters, the suit says. Delta Lambda Phi has no locations in Oregon.

The Eugene chapter of Delta Lambda Psi opened this year. In a statement released to WW through its attorney, Josh Williamson of Portland-based Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Delta Lambda Phi says it first tried to negotiate with the frarority. However, the statement continues, Delta Lambda Psi "began delaying and refusing to address the serious harm and actual confusion caused by its infringement of DLP's trademarks."

The suit asks that Delta Lambda Psi stop using Delta Lambda Phi's name and logo. Delta Lambda Phi is also requesting it "be awarded all gains, profits, and advantages derived by Defendant from its wrongful acts."
Delta Lambda Psi did not return multiple calls and emails seeking comment.

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.