In 2025 the Big Canoe POA launched itself into the “Trademark Business”, purchasing the “Big Canoe” name from Mike Rhodes for an estimated $400,000 + around $150,000 in attorney fees. Then the POA filed a whole bunch more Trademark Applications for business activities (unusual for a non-profit). Attorney Fees have continued to grow in the $100’s of Thousands of Dollars.
As part of the initial Trademark deal, the POA graciously relicensed the ability to use “Big Canoe” back to Mike Rhodes, and then also subsequently sold Usage Rights to The Big Canoe Developer for $60,000. All of this came at what is believed to be an additional cost… the requirement to defend those Trademarks!
On January 16 2026 the POA engaged in it’s first attempt to enforce those rights – filing a Lawsuit against local Real Estate Broker Margo Weatherford. On February 20 Margot Weatherford filed her Answer and Counterclaim. On March 13 Big Canoe POA filed a Motion to Dismiss Margot’s Counterclaim. On March 26 Margot filed a Response to Big Canoe POA’s Motion to Dismiss. On June 26 Margot filed Discovery on the Big Canoe POA (important!). On July 15 the Court DENIED Big Canoe POA’s Motion to Dismiss Margot’s Counterclaim.
*Links in the above paragraph go to the identified Court Filings.
And on August 28, 2026 the Big Canoe POA & Margot Weatherford mutually DISMISSED the Claim & Counterclaim.
This concluded the POA’s initial attempt to enforce it’s $700,000+ Trademark Investment in what can only be described as an ABJECT FAILURE! Further, there is now a practical precedent potentially set for others – a roadmap to follow in dealing with the POA’s bullying, as the Case and Outcome have already been Formally updated into the USPTO Database for all to see.
And this might just be the beginning. Let’s not forget that the Developer has already paid $60,000, and Rhodes also had some licensee rights. Normally one would expect contracts of this nature to include the Licensor’s (Big Canoe POA) requirement to defend those Trademark rights. I can imagine anyone holding a License for the ability to use “Big Canoe” just saw the value of what they paid for go down dramatically. Both Parties were Certified in the Court Filings as having Interest Rights.
I want to point out what I think may be the most important aspect of all in this case: the timing of when the Big Canoe POA actually caved – right as Margot’s Discovery Requests started coming due. Almost 1 year ago, on September 13, 2025 FOBC wrote an article “Big Canoe’s Dirty Secret” basically predicting this very outcome.
It has long been alleged that the POA cannot afford to go through Discovery. I believe they will cave to anyone that knows what leverage to use. (Employees receiving enormous severance checks accompanied by Non-Disclosure Agreements; Golfer’s suing for negligence; or even a Realtor flaunting perceived abuses of the POA’s Trademark rights)
Also…
How much do we shell out in secret settlements to Architectural Controls Lawsuits?
Why are General Managers PAID BIG 6 Figure Sums as they leave their positions?
How many Employee Disputes & Exits are settled quietly?
And where is this all reported in the financials?
Food for thought – Leverage Exists.
Some know how to use it.
– FOBC Editor
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