Draxxus

Draxxus, also styled DraXxus and abbreviated DXS, is a Canadian paintball ammunition brand introduced by Procaps in 2002. The brand emerged following a commercial agreement between Procaps and National Paintball Supply, under which Procaps' existing paintball ranges were marketed using the Draxxus name rather than the Diablo trademark.[1][2]

Draxxus became associated with tournament paintballs including Blaze, Midnight, Inferno and Hellfire, followed by products marketed under the DXS name. The brand was distributed internationally and supplied ammunition for recreational and competitive paintball.[1][3]

History

Introduction (2002)

Draxxus was introduced during a restructuring of the commercial relationship between Canadian paintball manufacturer Procaps and American distributor National Paintball Supply.

Procaps, established by Richmond Italia in 1998, had previously manufactured paintballs sold under the Diablo brand.

The arrangement was announced at the 2002 Mardi Gras Open, where Procaps displayed its existing Blaze, Midnight, Inferno and Hellfire paintballs in packaging without the Diablo name.[1]

The subsequent distribution agreement gave National Paintball Supply responsibility for distributing Draxxus paintballs, while the Diablo name returned to National Paintball Supply.

The agreement also covered distribution of V-Force protective equipment.[2][4]

On 29 April 2002, the companies formally announced their commercial alliance, establishing a distribution network serving paintball retailers and commercial playing fields in the United States.[4]

United States trademark records document commercial use of the Draxxus name on paintballs from May 2002.[5]

Tournament presence

During the early 2000s, Draxxus promoted its products through tournament sponsorships, trade exhibitions and equipment supply.

At the 2003 William Shatner Celebrity Paintball Big Game, the company operated a display and climate-controlled trailer offering Inferno paintballs and promoting its ammunition ranges.[6]

The Draxxus name also appeared in professional and amateur tournament sponsorship arrangements during the expansion of X-Ball and seven-player competition.

Distribution changes (2005)

In 2005, Procaps reorganised the distribution of its ammunition and protective equipment.

A subsequent United States court decision records that Procaps L.P. terminated its distribution arrangement with National Paintball Supply in 2005.

Following the change, Procaps distributed Draxxus and other products through Procaps Direct Inc., although National Paintball Supply was permitted to sell remaining inventory.[7]

This marked the end of the original exclusive distribution relationship established in 2002.

DXS product range

During the later 2000s, Draxxus products were increasingly marketed under the abbreviated DXS name.

The brand supplied paintballs for both recreational and tournament use.

Contemporary tournament records document the availability of DXS Bronze, Silver and Gold ammunition.

At the 2009 US Paintball League DC Challenge, DXS Silver was advertised at US$45 per case and DXS Gold at US$55 per case.[8]

A historical distributor catalogue also documents DXS Basic Training, Triumph and Rec Sport products.[9]

Subsequent ownership

Procaps' assets were acquired by GI Sportz in December 2011.

Draxxus was among the brands historically associated with the Procaps business.[10]

United States trademark records subsequently identify G.I. Sportz Inc. as an owner of Draxxus trademarks.

The original Draxxus Paintballs registration, number 3137293, was cancelled in April 2013.

A separate Draxxus registration, number 2950395, was renewed in 2015.[5][11]

The cancellation of an individual trademark registration does not, by itself, establish that the brand or its products ceased to exist.

Products

Original ammunition ranges

The original Draxxus range incorporated paintball products previously marketed by Procaps under the Diablo name.

Product	Historical association
Blaze	Established Procaps paintball range rebranded under Draxxus in 2002
Midnight	Established Procaps paintball range rebranded under Draxxus in 2002
Inferno	Tournament paintballs marketed under the Draxxus name
Hellfire	Tournament paintballs marketed under the Draxxus name

These products were documented in contemporary reporting from the 2002 Mardi Gras Open.[1]

DXS ammunition

Later documented DXS products included:

DXS Bronze – A lower-priced tournament paintball range.
DXS Silver – Tournament ammunition marketed for high-rate-of-fire markers.
DXS Gold – Higher-grade tournament ammunition.
DXS Rec Sport – Recreational paintballs.
DXS Triumph – Paintballs marketed for recreational and woodland play.
DXS Basic Training – Practice and recreational ammunition.

The range is documented in contemporary tournament advertising and distributor catalogues.[8][9]

Relationship with Diablo and Procaps

Draxxus, Diablo and Procaps are closely related but distinct subjects.

Procaps was the Canadian manufacturing business responsible for producing the ammunition.

Diablo was the name under which Procaps had previously marketed paintballs, before the 2002 distribution agreement.

Draxxus was the replacement ammunition brand introduced by Procaps during that restructuring.

National Paintball Supply initially distributed Draxxus products in the United States, while Procaps retained the manufacturing role.

The later changes to distribution and ownership form part of Procaps' corporate history rather than the creation of a separate Draxxus manufacturing company.[2][4][7]

References