Mary Wilson's lawsuit against other members of The Supremes (Scherrie Payne, Lynda Laurence and Jean Terrell) came to a halt as Federal District Court Judge, The Honourable Consuela Marshall ruled against her and in favour of Scherrie, Lynda and Jean on every count.
The suit, filed on February 8th 1996 in the US. District Court, Central District,
was based on federal and common law grounds of unfair competition against all the defendants
claiming that use of the trademark The Supremes constitutes false designation of origin.
Wilson essentially claimed rights to the mark of The Supremes (Registered to Motown in the US.)
and that the named parties were infringing her rights. In ruling in favour of Scherrie,
Lynda and Jean on every count brought by Los Angeles entertainment attorneys
Matthew M. Barasch and Gerald Wolfe, the court concluded that:
Wilson's statement over the use of the trademark "The Supremes" and her related
claims regarding an alleged obligation by Motown to protect any proported
rights of Wilson to use the mark must fail as a matter of law". It remains a mystery why she
had decided to take this matter to court in 1996 since she very publicly announced to both the press
and on-stage at her farewell concert with the group which took place at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London in June 1977 that she was departing the
Supremes to start her solo career.
When reached for comment this week during a tour of Asia, Scherrie and Lynda had this to say:
"We were shocked at Mary's actions because she knew we had re-formed in 1985
and came to our first show in Los Angeles that same year. Why did she wait over
ten years to make these accusations? The truth is that there are and always will
be eight genuine Supremes. This is clearly documented. We are (along with Mary)
Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, Cindy Birdsong, Jean Terrell and Susaye Greene.
Each played a part in hte development of the group. You cannot change history by filing a lawsuit.
We thank the court system, our attorneys and Supremes fans world-wide who have
stuck with us during what has become a very trying time..."
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