The Libertarian National Committee has filed a trademark suit against the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Their full filing may be found here. This is the second lawsuit in Michigan over the Michigan Libertarian Party split. The first, over possession of the Libertarian Party of Michigan bank account, was filed on May 28 by the Libertarian Party of Michigan.
Michigan Libertarians have issued a statement regarding the political situation in the state. Libertarian Party of Michigan Chair Mike Saliba writes:
Hello Fellow Michigan Libertarian,
A lot has happened since I last updated you via E-mail and at the convention in Lansing about another group claiming to be the LPM. Here is a status update on the some of the topics related to the dispute to help clear up any confusion created by the other group.
Did we lose the bank account?
Last month Andrew Chadderdon, who leads the group which has stolen party assets and claims to be the LPM in collusion with the national party, sent out an email claiming that his group was now in control of the bank accounts which make up the LPM treasury. This is NOT TRUE. The Chadderdon group did attempt to steal the treasury and were issued checks by Comerica Bank, where the money was held, but quickly canceled those checks when they realized their mistake. We will now going to court with Comerica and Chadderdon to win back those funds. That case was filed April 28th.
Are we being sued by National?
The LNC voted in March to allocate $10,000 to take legal action against us. In April they voted to allocate $2,000 more. That is money you have donated to help the party fight against the state being used to fight against you and the votes you have cast at two consecutive conventions. The basis for the lawsuit is our use of the words “Libertarian” and “Party” in our name. This ridiculous for a few reasons. First, The Libertarian Party of Michigan had been using those words in our name for decades prior to the national trademark filing. Second, the Republicans and Democrats don’t even have trademarks on their names because it’s so unenforceable to have a trademark that broad. Third, we aren’t claiming to be the national party, so the national party has no business suing us for trademark violation. Here in Metro Detroit, we have a ton of Coney Island restaurants. The original was Lafayette Coney Island. After a dispute between the owners, it got split down the middle to form American Coney Island. The big chains are National Coney Island, Leo’s Coney Island, Kerby’s Coney Island. There’s even a ton of independently own mom & pops like Tina’s Coney Island or Jon’s Coney Island. All of these places use the same two words, “Coney” and “Island” in their names and none of them get sued by the other. Because those aren’t the only two words in their name and it’s what they are. They’re Coney Island style restaurants and the rest of their name tells you which Coney Island restaurant it is. So I can open Mike’s Coney Island and not get sued by National Coney Island because I never said I was National Coney Island and I make that clear with the word “Mike’s” in the name. Our name is the Libertarian Party of Michigan. A Libertarian Party is what we are and the Michigan in our name lets you know which Libertarian Party we are (the one in Michigan). This case against us is one we are sure to win and a complete waste of YOUR MONEY by the LNC.Why didn’t we appeal to the National Judicial Committee?
National Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos, being part of the cabal within the national party that supports the Chadderdon group, has made a number of videos and comments on what’s happening here in Michigan. One thing she brings up quite a bit was her offer to me to have these matters settled by the National Judicial Committee and my failure to file such a complaint. The reason why we haven’t done this is because this isn’t an issue with the national party or party matters. The assets of LPM are held by the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee, Inc which is a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Michigan. Andrew Chadderdon stole and attempted to steal those assets. The national party is not a law enforcement agency equipped to deal with theft of property or corporate law in the State of Michigan. If Andrew Chadderdon stole my car, I wouldn’t file with the JC. That’s not what the JC is for.
Did West Michigan and Genesee get disaffiliated?
No! The Libertarian Party of Michigan has not disaffiliated any local affiliates. The Chadderdon group that is in control of our stolen digital assets (our email, website, and social media accounts) sent out that email. They saw how those particular affiliates were able to mobilize members and funds for our April 1st convention in Lansing. They also saw the failure of their own attempt to mobilize members and funds at their pizza party held in Wixom on April 1st. They realize their cabal will never have the popularity to win true support so they are attempting to shrink the party down to only the people that do support them. Andrew Chadderdon would burn the LPM to the ground if he could be Chair of the assets. The real LPM isn’t engaged in any of this nonsense.I hope this answers the most common questions members have had for the last month or so as to the status of the party. Please email any other questions you may have to chair@MichiganLP.net. I will answer them personally and include the most frequent questions in my next monthly update. If you happen to unaware of the events that brought us to this point, I will also attach the last email I sent out.
Please consider donating to our legal defense fund. We have not used any other party funds to fight these court cases and funds are needed. Readers may find their fund at https://secure.anedot.com/libertarian-party-of-genesee-county/212de0d6-9ea1-4dbc-bc4a-61e946e4a865
In Liberty,
Mike Saliba,
Chair, Libertarian Party of Michigan
Mr Knapp: “ If — as an example — the Missouri Libertarian Party ended its affiliation with the LNC tomorrow, it would still be the Missouri Libertarian Party. It just wouldn’t be the LNC’s affiliate in Missouri.”
And the next day, another suit over use of the name.
Unless a state affiliate were to sign a binding contract with the national party at their inception specifically giving them authority, which none ever has to my knowledge, the national party has no standing to do anything at the state level. This LNC attacks and attacks and attacks. The affiliation process does not give them any of the legal standing they have been claiming.
As Mr Knapp continues to correctly point out, it is each state and their state election law that “licenses” parties. But how many are actually parties? When I served on the LNC, there were actually only 19. The rest were unrecognized organizations not eligible to even call themselves parties under their respective state’s election laws.
Good to hear from you, MG!
Once again, no, the LNC does not “license” “state parties.”
Political parties are “licensed” by the state.
The LNC and those state parties can choose, or choose not to, affiliate with each other, but all the LNC controls it that affiliation. The existence of a state party isn’t something that requires its permission or cooperation.
If — as an example — the Missouri Libertarian Party ended its affiliation with the LNC tomorrow, it would still be the Missouri Libertarian Party. It just wouldn’t be the LNC’s affiliate in Missouri.
Hi Thomas. Always good to get something from you.
“LNC at present licenses a state party”
No, the states “license” state parties.
>The LNC will still license, legally may do so, and does, however ineptly. The idea was they would do several. Who the GOPe/DEM state cares to register, who cares?
Those state parties may or may not choose to affiliate with any particular national committee. And any particular national committee may or may not choose to accept such a request for affiliation.
>One can only hope.
Thanks for the comment, Ryan. What did you run for and what %/how many voted LP? What was your platform?
“LNC at present licenses a state party”
No, the states “license” state parties.
Those state parties may or may not choose to affiliate with any particular national committee. And any particular national committee may or may not choose to accept such a request for affiliation.
“That said, the presently dormant Libertarian Poll Data Group surveys showed voters now get what a Libertarian is basically about, like what they’re hearing from LP in many areas, and the question they have is can USLP regularly attract experienced pols who can hum our tune. THOSE are the ones they will vote for. Especially if state legislators and Governors, though distinguished jurists, public figures, and public servants/activists are OK.”
Having ran for office at a county level and put effort into running for office (as in I went out to public events and talked to people, because not all Libertarians do that), I dispute that people en masse know what a Libertarian is. A lot of people think we’re liberals because the names are similar. (Disclaimer: I live in a county that voted for Trump over Biden 73-24.)
We’re still in education phase and most of the electorate know nothing. It’s why I’m critical of people in positions of power in this party that never leave their computer and instead self-isolate themselves in bubbles that confirm their world view.
RE: <>
The party is a libertarian-direction (‘world of no income tax, direct democracy Floridas where the LP then got equal ballot access voted in’) one for libertarian voters at diverse stages of understanding an interest.
That said, the presently dormant Libertarian Poll Data Group surveys showed voters now get what a Libertarian is basically about, like what they’re hearing from LP in many areas, and the question they have is can USLP regularly attract experienced pols who can hum our tune. THOSE are the ones they will vote for. Especially if state legislators and Governors, though distinguished jurists, public figures, and public servants/activists are OK.
They want more Bill Welds and Gary Johnsons, for now. Until we have developed many state legislators. The strategy of asking retiring GOP/DEMS to join us and maybe run on one issue they care about is a sound one. Then the voter will see.
In other words, we should stop selling the concept of the car and let them test drive in something with which they feel familiar. Yes, they get we want to do Supercar, but they want to see the updated VW first. We do need to train those Bill Welds and Johnsons so they don’t stumble. USLP reviving documentation clubs would be a help.
But seeing the value of Bill Welds does not mean a party of, by, and for Bill Welds.
BTW–If you want to develop a public office track record and run, though, you sure have my blessing.
Thanks for your comment.
RE: <>
A just point, old friend.
The original idea was for LNC to license various state parties/PACS and state study etc. associations/clubs based on objectives and actual results. I advocated for this vigorously when last on LNC, there’re policies in place, but sadly Crickenberger’s death derailed many good things. Multiple option seem to be how best to handle such disputes. LNC at present licenses a state party, state student groups, and (mostly dormant last I checked) direct democracy/ballot access, event/legislative, book, local office, activist and documentation clubs. These attract different people who tend to get in each other’s hair.
I will say LNC did create a Congressional PAC but what are they doing? Anyone?
Or as some wise old capitalist once said, division of labor.
Sarwark is anti Mises. He’s said that himself. He prefers the party filled with Bill Weld supporters. He’s defended Weld many times.
Sarwark has become the boogey man to the Mises Caucus in the same way that the Koch Brothers are to Democrats and George Soros is to the Republicans.
Isn’t this suit really about the political question of who controls the selection of candidates including the presidential candidates in 2024? IOW, isn’t it a ballot access lawsuit? It may be thrown out of court.
This group is clearly in the wrong. They are angry Mises won the convention, so they figured starting a fake party would be the answer. Wouldn’t be surprised if Sarwark had a hand in this.
There’s a Detroit News story here on this, although requires subscription to view:
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/michigan/2023/05/08/shirtless-protest-lawsuit-highlight-michigan-libertarian-party-power-feud/70195191007/
Readers should realize that these matters will take a while to settle. Interesting events may include countersuits, negotiations, filings, and at some point perhaps people being deposed.