ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A group of neighborhood walkers in Nocatee said a developer is threatening to sue them for trademark infringement.
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The NOC Rucks said nearly 9 months ago they received a cease-and-desist letter from attorneys with the PARC Group, a developer in Nocatee.
The PARC Group is asking the NOC Rucks to remove the ‘Noc’ affiliation from its name, claiming it is a trademark registered to them.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing that we are at this stage,” said Michael Schroder, the founder of the NOC Rucks. “We understand the business side of it for the PARC Group and Sonoc but obviously we are just here trying to go for a walk.”
Schroder said he never expected something like this to happen.
Since 2020 they’ve been holding free walks for all ages and the group meets twice a week at the field next to Treylor Park in Nocatee.
“It started out with 6 or 7 of us walking around various parking lots around Nocatee,” said Schroder.
It started as a couple of friends walking with weighted backpacks and putting in some miles together and now its built a sense of community in Nocatee.
“We average 60-70 people that come out twice a week,” said Schroder. “We are a part of bringing those people together.”
Action News Jax asked the PARC Group when it plans to pursue legal action.
In a statement, the PARC Group said: “hope remains that they will simply change their name to avoid any further action.”
Meanwhile, Schroder said regardless of the name change the club is not going anywhere.
“Whether we have to rebrand, call ourselves something different, I can assure you on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings we will continue to be here,” said Schroder.
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