His trademark battle took him from California to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

But his roots remain here in the Lehigh Valley.

Erik Brunetti is fighting for the right to trademark his FUCT streetwear brand. The federal government has denied him a trademark due to a ban on “immoral” or “scandalous” language.

The taint of obscenity was such a part of the hearing April 15 that none of the high court justices would say FUCT in court. Brunetti says the clothing label he founded more than 20 years ago isn’t just a “bad word brand.”

“It’s actually very intuitive and questions society’s usual paradigm,” Brunetti said in an email to lehighvalleylive.com. “The name is a paradox.”

His lawyer told the Associated Press the brand could be viewed as an acronym for “Friends U Can’t Trust.” It parodies corporate logos such as the emblem for Ford automobiles and in doing so questions corporate and cultural values.

Brunetti’s rebel roots run back to the Lehigh Valley. He was born in Phillipsburg, attended Easton Area High School and fell in love with skateboarding in Bethlehem.

“We all skated at a place referred to as the “trench,” the empty reservoir ditch along (Route) 378 in Bethlehem,” Brunetti said. “I owe everything to skateboarding.”

Hardly anyone listened to punk rock or rode skateboards in the Lehigh Valley in the early 1980s. What repelled other teenagers attracted Brunetti.

“People looked at us like we were from another planet,” he said.

The 51-year-old moved to California with nothing in 1988. He said he got jobs doing graphics for various skateboard companies. He started FUCT in his bedroom in a Venice house he shared with other skaters. The clothes are available for purchase only through his website, he said.

He is permitted to register his brand but continues to be denied trademark status that would make it easier for him to go after counterfeiters who knock off his designs, according to the Associated Press. The profanity ban is applied arbitrarily, according to those arguing Brunetti’s position. For instance, FUCT was denied a trademark but PHUKIT was granted one, according to the AP.

The government argues in court papers that the law encourages trademarks that are appropriate for all audiences. The government argues it isn’t restricting speech but rather declining to promote it, according to the AP.

Although he’s built a life for himself in California, Brunetti still holds a place in his heart for the Lehigh Valley. He returned to the Valley for a year and lived in the building owned by the late artist Karl Stirner, for whom Easton’s arts trail is named.

“Karl and I were very close friends. I was making art while I lived there,” he said.

Brunetti temporarily moved back a year ago and lived in Lower Mount Bethel Township while maintaining a studio in Bucks County.

“I love Easton and the Delaware Valley. It’s truly a beautiful area,” he said.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide this summer on the trademark issue, according to the Associated Press. Win or lose, the battle was worth fighting to get citizens talking about free speech and American values, Brunetti said.

“The Supreme Court reviewing and hearing this case is opening the conversation for all Americans’ (right to) free speech, which I believe can only lead to a positive dialogue, regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Brunetti said.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.