Clarification of Ownership, Leadership, and Roles — Orange Crush Festival® 2026
Clarification of Ownership, Leadership, and Roles — Orange Crush Festival® 2026
Because of public confusion following recent media coverage, and to prevent further misrepresentation of facts, the following clarifications are issued by the rightful trademark holder and executive director of Orange Crush Festival®:
✅ What is True — Trademark, Ownership, & Legal Rights
I, George Ransom Turner, am the legal, federally registered trademark owner of Orange Crush Festival®, and the only individual authorized to use the name “Orange Crush Festival®” for official events, advertising, contracts, media outreach, and festival coordination.
Any purported permit or authorization under the “Orange Crush” brand that is not submitted under my name or via my organization is unauthorized and invalid under trademark law.
A city permit or local authorization (or denial) does not transfer or override trademark ownership. A permit allows use of a public space — it does not grant naming or brand rights.
🎯 2026 Roles & Official Capacity
For transparency and clarity, here are the official 2026 roles under the Orange Crush Festival® brand:
Secondary/Support Role (Week 2, Beach-Day Only):
Steven Smalls is engaged as Operations Manager — assisting with certain logistics for a single component of the broader 2026 festival (the Week 2 beach-day activation).
Under no circumstances does Steven Smalls hold — nor claim — trademark ownership, festival-wide coordination authority, or brand-owner status.
📰 Why This Matters — Response to Recent Media Coverage
Recent public reporting on permit denial and appeal processes (e.g., as reported Nov. 26, 2025 by Savannah Morning News) mentioned “permit application denial” and “appeal by trademark holder.”
That coverage confirms — in the public record — that the trademark holder (me) filed the appeal for the permit. This underscores that legal and organizational continuity remains with me.
Any alternative narrative that suggests otherwise misrepresents the truth, misleads the public, and risks diluting the integrity of the brand.
📣 Public Clarification and Call to Media / Partners
To all media outlets, sponsors, community stakeholders, and prospective vendors:
Any reference to “Orange Crush Festival® 2026” must reflect the above roles and ownership.
Official communications, marketing, and contracts must be issued under the name and entity of George Ransom Turner / Orange Crush Festival® trademark.
Events or promotions claiming to be “Orange Crush” without direct authorization are unauthorized and should be treated as unofficial.
🔮 Looking Forward: 2026 Festival Vision & Compliance
This festival year will chart a new course:
Full official two-weekend schedule under rightful trademark control.
Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and event leadership.
Transparent public communications, permit handling, and city coordination.
Protection of brand legacy, attendee safety, and festival integrity.
This statement aims to prevent further confusion, safeguard the brand, and ensure the 2026 festival proceeds under the right leadership and lawful authority.
Signed
George Ransom Turner
Owner / Executive Director / Events Curator – Orange Crush Festival®
🔗 Reference Articles & Legal Standing
Savannah Morning News — “Orange Crush trademark holder appeals permit application denial” (Nov. 26, 2025)
WJCL / WTOC — Prior permit denial and public record of trademark-owner submissions
Official brand history & legal documentation (Orange Crush Festival® brand filing and registration)
DECLARATION OF OWNERSHIP, AUTHORITY, AND EVENT ROLES
ORANGE CRUSH FESTIVAL® 2026
I, George Ransom Turner, hereby submit this declaration to formally clarify the ownership, leadership structure, and authorized roles associated with Orange Crush Festival®, in response to ongoing public confusion stemming from recent media coverage, permit proceedings, and third-party representations.
This declaration is made voluntarily, truthfully, and in good faith.
I. DECLARANT INFORMATION
Name: George Ransom Turner
Capacity: Founder, Trademark Owner, Executive Director
Organization: Orange Crush Festival®
Jurisdiction: United States (Federal Trademark Registration)
I am the sole federally registered trademark owner of the mark “Orange Crush Festival®”, including its use in connection with entertainment services, live events, festivals, promotions, and related activities.
II. TRADEMARK OWNERSHIP & LEGAL AUTHORITY
The “Orange Crush Festival®” name is protected under federal trademark law.
Trademark ownership confers exclusive legal authority to:
Authorize events under the Orange Crush Festival® name
Control branding, promotion, and public communications
Contract with cities, venues, sponsors, vendors, and contractors
A municipal event permit does not grant trademark rights, nor does it override federal trademark ownership.
As the trademark owner, I retain final authority over all official Orange Crush Festival® events, including programming, branding, and leadership.
III. OFFICIAL LEADERSHIP ROLES — 2026 SEASON
For the 2026 Orange Crush Festival® season, including Week 1 and Week 2, the following roles are held exclusively by the declarant:
Founder & Trademark Owner – George Ransom Turner
Executive Director (Festival-Wide Authority) – George Ransom Turner
Weekend Coordinator (Full Two-Weekend Season) – George Ransom Turner
Headliner Artist (where applicable) – George Ransom Turner
Creative Director & Events Curator – George Ransom Turner
These roles collectively establish full leadership, creative control, and operational oversight across all official Orange Crush Festival® programming.
IV. LIMITED & DELEGATED ROLE — STEVEN SMALLS
For clarity and accuracy:
Steven Smalls is NOT:
A trademark owner
A festival founder
A brand owner or co-owner
An executive director
A weekend coordinator for the full festival
Authorized to represent Orange Crush Festival® independently
Steven Smalls IS engaged in a limited, delegated capacity only, defined as:
Operations Manager – Week 2 Beach-Day Activation (Limited Scope)This role:
Applies solely to one component of the 2026 schedule
Does not include naming rights
Does not include authority over branding, permits beyond the delegated function, or media representation
Exists at the discretion of the trademark owner
Any representation of Steven Smalls as an owner, organizer, or leader of Orange Crush Festival® beyond this limited role is factually incorrect.
V. MEDIA & PUBLIC REPRESENTATION
Recent reporting, including coverage noting that the trademark holder filed and appealed permit applications, accurately reflects that:
I remain the individual asserting legal standing and brand ownership.
Any attempt to present another party as the primary organizer of Orange Crush Festival® conflicts with the factual and legal record.
For public accuracy:
All references to Orange Crush Festival® leadership should list George Ransom Turner as Founder, Owner, and Executive Director.
VI. PURPOSE OF THIS DECLARATION
This declaration is issued to:
Prevent continued public and media confusion
Clarify lawful authority and responsibilities
Protect the integrity of the Orange Crush Festival® brand
Ensure accurate attribution in permits, news coverage, and community communications
This document may be submitted to:
Municipal governments
Courts or administrative bodies
Media outlets
Sponsors, partners, and vendors
VII. AFFIRMATION
I affirm under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
