Quick Summary — Why This Matters
This is a trademark dispute concerning the service mark PROST, which PROST Inc. has used continuously in interstate commerce since its formation in 1986, and which was used continuously since 1976 prior to PROST Inc.’s incorporation.
PROST Inc., a volunteer-run nonprofit founded in 1976 to connect and foster professional relationships for executives in luxury travel, is facing a financial crisis due to an ongoing trademark dispute involving Nick Reid.
After more than three years, approximately 15–20 oral and written settlement proposals and counter-proposals, and over $80,000 in paid legal fees plus approximately $150,000 in donated pro bono legal services, our funds are now depleted.
While this matter remains pending before the USPTO and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), unaffiliated PROST-branded chapters continue to launch nationwide, creating confusion and increasing legal costs for our nonprofit.
With our 50th Anniversary in 2026, we are asking for help to cover urgent legal fees and protect PROST Inc.’s identity, goodwill, and nonprofit mission.
Why We Are Asking for Help
The Financial Reality
Over the past three years, PROST Inc. has incurred more than $80,000 in paid legal fees, not including approximately $150,000 in donated pro bono legal services personally contributed to keep this matter moving forward.
In 2025 alone, we incurred and paid over $45,000 in legal fees, while simultaneously funding our $100,000+ annual Holiday Gala, a cornerstone industry-wide and community event.
As a result, our organizational funds are now fully depleted.
A Legacy Celebrating Its 50th Anniversary
In 2026, PROST Inc. (aka PROST LA) celebrates its 50th Anniversary as the founding chapter of a globally recognized networking community for executives in luxury travel.
This milestone represents half a century of volunteer leadership, nonprofit service, cultural events, and community-building. What is at stake here is not branding alone — it is the preservation of five decades of goodwill built by volunteers and donors since 1976.
Who This Dispute Involves
This matter involves Nick Reid, who is not part of PROST Inc.’s nonprofit structure.
PROST Inc. and its legacy chapters have historically operated as nonprofit organizations, built and sustained by volunteers and donors. PROST Inc. exists to protect its own identity, history, and goodwill, including the goodwill developed through its longstanding nonprofit chapters and activities.
Background and Timeline
- Longstanding Use
PROST Inc. and its legacy chapters have used the PROST name continuously in interstate commerce since 1976, long before federal trademark registration was contemplated.
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2019–2022: Domain Registrations and Unauthorized Use
Beginning in 2019, Nick Reid registered multiple domain names incorporating the PROST name, including:
- prostsf.com (September 11, 2019)
- myprost.com (September 13, 2019)
- prostbc.com (June 14, 2022)
In June 2022, a PROST-branded chapter was launched by Nick Reid in San Francisco.
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January 2023: Cease & Desist
- January 17, 2023: PROST Inc aka PROST L.A. issued a Cease & Desist letter asserting common-law trademark rights based on continuous use in interstate commerce since 1976.
- January 18, 2023: A PROST-branded chapter (PROST Beach Cities) was launched by Nick Reid in Los Angeles in the same geographical area of PROST Inc, without affiliation with or authorization from PROST Inc.
- Four days earlier, on January 13, 2023, the domain prostla.com was registered by Nick Reid, despite PROST LA’s longstanding use at that time of the domain prostla.org.
- Following receipt of the Cease & Desist, PROST Inc. and Nick Reid engaged in multiple communications and settlement discussions.
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April 2023: Trademark Filings
- April 26, 2023: PROST Inc. filed a federal trademark application with the USPTO for “PROST INC. ”.
- Ten months later, in February 2024 , PROST Inc. learned that Nick Reid filed an application for “PROST NETWORK” on the exact same day — 2 hours and 37 minutes earlier — after registering the domain prost.network the day before on April 25, 2023.
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Trademark Proceedings
- March 26, 2024: PROST Inc. filed a Notice of Opposition with the USPTO asserting priority of use dating back to 1976 and likelihood of confusion.
While this matter has been pending before the USPTO and TTAB, Nick Reid has continued to launch additional PROST-branded chapters nationwide, resulting in ongoing confusion regarding affiliation and endorsement.
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Statements Made in Trademark Filings
In his USPTO trademark application, Nick Reid and/or his agent declared under penalty of perjury that he was not aware of any other entity using “PROST” for networking services in luxury travel.
At the time of that declaration:
- PROST Inc. and the legacy chapters had used the PROST name continuously since 1976
- PROST LA had hosted nearly five decades of public events, including its renowned annual Holiday Gala
- Nick Reid had attended multiple PROST events over the years, including the Holiday Gala
We include this information as part of the public record so supporters can understand the context of the dispute.
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Public Record Reference
This matter is pending before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
For those who wish to review the public record at USPTO.gov:
- PROST Inc. trademark application for “PROST INC” (USPTO Serial No. 97 909 207) filed April 26, 2023
- Nick Reid’s trademark application for “PROST NETWORK” (USPTO Serial No. 97 908 932) filed April 26, 2023
- PROST Inc.’s Notice of Opposition (TTAB Proceeding No. 91290586) filed March 26, 2024 on the grounds of priority of use of and likelihood of confusion
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Good-Faith Efforts to Resolve This
Since January 2023, PROST Inc. has participated in numerous settlement meetings and exchanged approximately 15–20 oral and written settlement proposals, drafts, and counter-proposals, seeking coexistence and other non-litigation outcomes.
Despite these sustained good-faith efforts, no resolution has been reached, and the matter must now proceed through the TTAB process, including trial currently scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027.
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Why PROST Inc. Cannot Simply “Walk Away”
Abandoning the opposition would leave PROST Inc., its officers, and volunteers exposed to future claims, loss of goodwill, and permanent public confusion regarding affiliation and endorsement.
Walking away would not end the risk — it would cement it.
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How You Can Help
Your donation will help cover:
- Immediate and ongoing legal fees
- Trademark opposition proceedings, including trial
- Potential rebranding and new trademark filings
- Organizational stability during this crisis
- Preservation of PROST Inc.’s nonprofit mission
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are you naming Nick Reid?
This dispute directly involves Nick Reid, and his name appears in public filings and legal proceedings. We are sharing factual information so supporters can understand the context of the dispute.
- Is this a lawsuit?
The primary matter is a trademark opposition pending before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Related litigation involving Nick Reid’s civil lawsuit against the former PROST San Francisco volunteer executive board has already occurred and has been publicly documented. That matter recently resolved at great expense.
- Why is this so expensive?
Trademark disputes involving opposition proceedings, discovery, filings, and responses are complex and costly. Despite extensive efforts to resolve this through settlement, the legal process has continued for more than three years. The matter must now proceed to trial at the TTAB. Trial is currently set for late 2026/early 2027.
- Did PROST try to settle?
Yes. Since January 2023, PROST Inc. has participated in numerous settlement meetings and presented approximately 15-20 settlement proposals seeking non-litigation solutions.
- Why not just change the name and move on?
A forced rebrand still involves substantial legal work, trademark filings, and replacement of decades of materials. The costs are significant, and the outcome of the trademark proceedings will determine the appropriate path forward.
- Why don’t you just drop the opposition and rebrand?
Because doing so would leave PROST Inc. and its volunteers legally exposed to future claims and loss of goodwill. The opposition is necessary to protect the organization, its leadership, and its nearly 50-year nonprofit legacy.
- What happens if you raise more than expected?
All funds will be used exclusively for legal fees, trademark proceedings, potential rebranding costs, and organizational stability during this process.
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With Gratitude
We delayed launching this fundraiser because we believed a settlement was close and did not want to interfere with that process. Unfortunately, those efforts unraveled again in early 2026.
If PROST Inc. and its legacy chapters have ever meant something to you and the luxury travel community, please help us preserve that legacy as we look forward to the next 50 years.
Thank you for standing with PROST Inc. at this critical moment in our history.