From Copper Soap Works to Fig & Grove: The true story behind our rebrand

If you’ve followed us for a while, you may have noticed a new name around here. Yes, it’s official: Copper Soap Works is now Fig & Grove.

But you might be wondering... why the change?

Grab a cup of tea (or something stronger) and settle in. This story has everything: cease and desist letters, courtroom threats, and a retired Silicon Valley lawyer who probably deserves his own soap named after him.

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It all started with a nasty email

Back in early 2022, I opened my inbox to find a very aggressive email from a soap company on the East Coast. They claimed I was infringing on their trademark, insisted they held exclusive rights to the name, and demanded that I “burn and destroy” all my products.

Yes, you read that right. Burn and destroy. Every bar of soap, every label, every trace of my business.

I cried for three days. (Because what else do you do when your small business is under attack?) Then I did what any scrappy, exhausted soap maker would do: I lawyered up.

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Enter: The Legal Legend

After speaking with several attorneys, I found my guy—a semi-retired trademark attorney who once handled intellectual property disputes for companies like Apple and IBM. He was calm, sharp, and fluent in scary-lawyer-ese.

He took over the case and responded to the other company’s legal team with just the right blend of precision and backbone. And then... they vanished. No court battle. No settlement. Just poof.

Apparently, they expected me to fold like a dollar store bar of soap. (Spoiler: I didn’t.)

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The plot thickens: USPTO has entered the chat

After fending off the soap bullies, my attorney gave me some advice: "Claudia, you have to register your name with the USPTO so this doesn’t happen again."

So I did. In January 2023, I filed a trademark application for Copper Soap Works.

Then I waited. And waited. And finally, in 2024, the USPTO responded—with a 30-page rejection.

Their reason? "Copper Soap Works," they said, was misleading. Because there’s no actual copper in the soap.

Cue me, yelling into the void: Do you even know where Copperopolis is?!

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Spoiler: The government doesn’t care about Copperopolis

I filed an appeal. I explained that “Copper” was a nod to my location, not an ingredient. I even gave them a list of 50+ local businesses with "Copper" in their name.

But the USPTO wasn’t having it. In September 2024, I received their final rejection. According to them, the name implies that my soap is made with copper—which could mislead consumers and constitute a false claim.

So, after pouring years of heart, sweat, tears (and more legal fees than I care to count) into Copper Soap Works, I had to make a choice:

Keep fighting a losing battle—or turn the page.

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Turning the page (and stirring the pot): why Fig & Grove

So here we are.

Fig & Grove is the next chapter in our story.

Same owner (hi 👋🏼), same formulas, same love poured into every bar, bottle, and candle—but now under a name that reflects where we’re headed: not just soap, but candles, tallow skincare, body care, and more.

The name Fig & Grove speaks to everything I love: thoughtful ingredients, small-batch processes, and simple, beautiful goods made by hand. It's earthy, a little elegant, and deeply rooted in nature.

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What’s Changing (and What’s Not)

Let me answer a few questions you might have:

Q: Are your recipes changing? Nope. Not even a smidge. If it ain’t broke, I’m not fixing it.

Q: Did you sell Copper Soap Works? Absolutely not. It’s still me—Claudia—making everything by hand.

Q: Will I still see you at The Ice Box? Yes! I’ll be there on weekends, and we now have our own retail shop open Monday–Friday, 11am–5pm. Come say hi! 49 Cosmic Court Copperopolis, CA 

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Hard-Won Wisdom: 4 Things I Wish I Knew Before Naming My Business

1. Check trademarks early. Even if you’re small, big players can come after you.
2. Think long-term. Will the name still work if your product line expands?
3. Symbolism matters. Choose words that leave room for your story to grow.
4. Register if you can. It’s not just red tape—it’s protection.

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Thank You

To everyone who’s supported me—through the chaos, the name change, and the paperwork avalanche—thank you.

Fig & Grove is a new name, but the heart behind it hasn’t changed one bit.

With love (and a pinch of legal drama),

Claudia
Founder & Maker
Fig & Grove
(formerly Copper Soap Works)