Brixton shop reopens as US firm drops legal action

Seven years ago, when Daniel O'Connell and his brother Pete Adams founded their clothing brand, their initial intention was not to pursue fashion or profit, but rather stemmed from a birthday gift. At the time, Daniel was about to turn 40, and Pete was struggling to find a present until he remembered that his brother used to be a DJ.

With the help of a designer, Pete designed a record logo and had it printed on hats and T-shirts. The design was unexpectedly popular, and soon they established a brand called "Brixton Street Wear," selling clothing such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bucket hats, and shorts.

Their brand not only attracted residents of Brixton, where they lived, but also caught the attention of another company in the United States called "Brixton LLC." This California-based company describes itself as a "lifestyle brand deeply rooted in music with a strong point of view on its place in culture."

Last year, the brothers received a legal letter from the California company demanding that they stop using the name "Brixton." At the time, Pete stated, "It was really frustrating – how can you own a geographical name?"

Currently, both parties have amicably resolved the dispute and reached an agreement to coexist under agreed-upon guidelines, including adjusting the logo, not selling overseas, and "Brixton Street Wear" clearly stating on its website that it is not affiliated with "Brixton LLC." "We can relax in the UK now," Pete said. The BBC has contacted "Brixton LLC" and their lawyers, Groot & Evers, for comment.

According to Pete, the legal dispute cost the brothers, who were born and raised in Brixton, around £6,000. They raised just over £10,000 on GoFundMe and stated that the remaining funds would be donated to community projects, which has become a core part of their business.

They reinvest profits into local Brixton charities and clubs, and have donated thousands of pounds to projects and causes in South London to date. In November 2021, they donated £1,015 to Resole, a Brixton charity that distributes new and used trainers to homeless people, care leavers, refugees, and those living below the poverty line. They have also raised £720 for the Brixton Soup Kitchen and recently donated £1,200 to Brixton Recording Studios.

"Financially, we got nothing out of it," Daniel said after the legal dispute was resolved. "We just do it to help the community, to give back. We’re glad our business is no longer going to be compromised, and I’m really pleased we can move forward and do what we love doing."

Pete added, "Hopefully we can grow and help more community projects, and show other brands that it doesn’t all have to be about profit. If we all did 1% of good, the world would be a better place."