Editing Draxxus (section)

== 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.