A word about Stryx’s “Pimple Patches”

We’d like to address a topic that’s received some recent attention online involving Stryx and another company, good light, concerning our trademark application for the use of the name “Pimple Patches.” We want to take this opportunity to clarify a few facts, and correct some misunderstandings. We should note that we never took — nor at this time intend to take — any legal action against good light.

First, a little background. Back in April of this year, months before we launched Pimple Patches, we researched the name so that we would not infringe on any similar products in the market. We then followed the pathway that all businesses do and sought to trademark it for Stryx to use to protect our company from potential future liability. This trademark process is still pending.

We are a small business of just four employees — the same size as good light — and we put a tremendous amount of time, effort, research, and money into launching Pimple Patches in mid-October of this year.

About a week or so after we launched Pimple Patches, we learned that good light released a product using a very similar name. We reached out to good light with a standard Cease & Desist letter, as would most any company with a pending trademark application. good light responded with a legal letter saying they disagreed with our position, and would disregard our claim entirely.

Following good light’s response we made multiple attempts to speak with the company’s founder directly to try and resolve this situation. Regrettably, these requests, as of this writing, have gone unanswered. Our invitation to discuss this and have a constructive dialogue with good light still stands as we would like to clear the air, but we reiterate that either way we have no intention of pursuing any further action at this time.

Recently we learned of some hurtful comments good light made about our company on certain social media platforms. We are a small, ethnically diverse company that cares deeply about our customers, our employees, and the rights of all companies to compete and succeed in the marketplace. There is room and opportunity for all small cosmetics businesses to develop products that help consumers look and feel their very best.

Some online have taken issue with our attempt to even obtain a trademark. This decision is ultimately up to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, whose job is to make such determinations. We took great care to research the name thoroughly, and we followed the appropriate steps to file our trademark application. We believe we have good standing, but the very reason we have a trademark application process is so that these issues may be properly vetted and considered.

It is inherent in Stryx’s DNA that we respect all communities, genders — and all competing companies, including good light itself. The missions of Stryx and good light are aligned in helping more people around the world be their most comfortable and confident selves. We want to ensure both businesses can succeed and thrive.

Nothing would make us happier.

- The Stryx Team