FRFT & AFLF Notice: Licensing Enforcement Begins February 1, 2026

Protection of the “AS DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN SLAVES” Designation (USPTO Reg. No. 5745836)

Effective February 1, 2026, the Freedmen Reparations Fund Trust (FRFT) and the American Freedmen Legal Fund (AFLF) will begin formal licensing enforcement for the federally registered designation “AS DESCENDANTS OF AMERICAN SLAVES” (USPTO Reg. No. 5745836), consistent with the Exclusive Trademark License Agreement executed on July 11, 2025.

This designation is not a general identity phrase for unrestricted public use. It is a protected mark whose use must follow authorized licensing and defined governance standards established by the Agreement. The purpose of enforcement is to prevent dilution, misclassification, consumer confusion, and unauthorized commercial exploitation of a designation tied to a specific historical and legal meaning.

What This Means

Beginning February 1, 2026, any individual, organization, platform, publisher, vendor, program, or brand using the designation (or materially similar versions) in connection with:

• merchandise or commercial products

• paid memberships, subscriptions, or “verification” services

• fundraising, ticketing, paid events, or donation campaigns

• media, publishing, educational programs, or institutional branding

• websites, apps, or social platforms using the mark as an identifier

must be able to show authorization or obtain a license.

Licensing Pathway

FRFT will manage licensing in alignment with the Agreement, including:

• review of how and where the designation is being used

• brand and usage conditions required for compliance

• approval, denial, or required corrective actions

• issuance of written licensing authorization where appropriate

Licensing is the mechanism that prevents improper use while preserving the designation’s meaning and ensuring it is not used to mislead or exploit the Freedmen community.

Enforcement & Remedy

Where unauthorized use is identified, the Trust and AFLF may issue written notice requiring:

• cessation or correction of the unauthorized use

• licensing compliance and written authorization

• removal from platforms or printed materials

• formal record preservation for escalation if noncompliance continues

This enforcement is not informal commentary. It is an operational protection program grounded in a binding licensing framework.

Official Record

This enforcement action follows the historical marker recorded by FRFT recognizing the Agreement’s execution and the formal establishment of protected governance over the designation.

For licensing inquiries or compliance coordination, use the official Trust channel at:

Freedmennation.org