Screw their criminal behavior, get 'em for trademark violation

The Los Angeles Times reports on the war on the LA gang known as the Mongols:

After the arrests of 61 members of the Mongols biker gang on federal racketeering charges Tuesday, U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien stood in front of two dozen gleaming motorcycles seized from the gang and vowed to go after more than just the Mongols' means of transportation. In what he called an unprecedented move, O'Brien said he would seek to take control of the Mongols' name, which the gang has trademarked, through a restraining order barring them from wearing it. "We're going after their very identity," O'Brien said.

Rico says it's a new tactic, but then how many criminal enterprises actually trademark their name? (Mafia, Inc. is, after all, just a phrase...)

"We believe the indictment puts a stake in the heart of the Mongols," said Michael Sullivan, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who joined O'Brien and other law enforcement officials at a news conference in downtown Los Angeles.
The 177-page indictment describes a mostly Latino gang, intolerant of African Americans, whose attacks were sometimes motivated by race. In addition to racketeering, the Mongols are charged with committing violent crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and money laundering. They used guns, knives, brass knuckles, lead pipes, and steel-toed boots to impose their will, often on such rivals as the Hells Angels, but also on unsuspecting members of the public who happened to cross their path.
On display at the news conference were the motorcycles, Mongols' leather jackets, and a cache of weapons. Authorities also seized nearly seven pounds of methamphetamines, five LAPD badges, and at least $153,000 in cash.

Rico says it's a long article, so he won't quote it all, but go read the rest and be happy you don't look like that guy in the photo (gnarly tats, dude). But, given how easy it is to circumvent trademarks (Mungul or Mangle, anyone?), they'll be back...