Stan takes legal action against Sam Dastyari attackers over Patriot Blue name

THE right-wing nationalists who called Senator Sam Dastyari a “terrorist” in a vile racist attack have found themselves in legal trouble.

THE thugs who launched a vile racist attack against Labor Senator Sam Dastyari have found themselves in legal trouble over the incident.

While the Iranian-born Senator at the centre of the recorded pub ambush is undecided as to whether he will launch action against the men, entertainment companies Stan and Roadshow Productions are more resolute.

The streaming and film production giants yesterday announced they had instructed lawyers to take appropriate legal action against the men who told Senator Dastyari to “go back to Iran”, over their use of a trademarked name from upcoming drama series Romper Stomper.

The group whose members approached Senator Dastyari, labelled him a “terrorist” and shared the disturbing exchange on Facebook, call themselves Patriot Blue.

The men who ambushed Labor Senator Sam Dastyari at a Melbourne pub are in legal trouble. Picture: Facebook

The group, an offshoot of far-right nationalist group United Patriots Front, established its Facebook page only a few months ago, sharing videos of stunts such as the one targeting Senator Dastyari in a Melbourne pub, and is amassing a growing following.

The problem is, the name Patriot Blue is taken, and trademarked, by Stan and Roadshow Productions.

Upcoming TV drama Romper Stomper, which was commissioned by Stan and produced by Roadshow, features a fictional group called Patriot Blue.

And the streaming and production companies want to make it very clear there is “no association” between their organisations and the blokes involved in the highly publicised incident.

Patriot Blue members pose in a post on its Facebook page. Picture: Facebook

“The group involved have misappropriated the name of the fictional group from the series,” the companies said in a joint statement.

“Stan and Roadshow Productions today instructed law firm Gilbert & Tobin to take appropriate legal action in relation to the infringement of the Patriot Blue trademark, and use of the Stan name on Facebook.”

The companies were damning of the attack, but said it highlighted some of the concerning real life issues that would be reflected in the series.

“Romper Stomper is a story that reflects contemporary issues from multiple view points and focuses on the alienated and fractured members of modern society,” they said.

“The incident with Senator Dastyari highlights that this is the right time to have an important national conversation about these issues, in a respectful and constructive way.”

The Patriot Blue Facebook page has since been deactivated.

Sam Dastyari hasn’t committed to taking legal action of his own over the incident. Picture: Facebook