On May 5, 2008, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Missouri entered a consent judgment making permanent and reiterating the
findings of its earlier preliminary injunction order (entered December 7,
2007), holding that the Community of Christ owns all right, title and
interest in and to the trademarks and servicemarks REORGANIZED CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS and RLDS.
Community of Christ is a worldwide church with approximately 250,000
members in more than 50 nations. Prior to a decision by the church’s 2000
World Conference, the denomination was known for more than 130 years as the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). The RLDS
name is significant to the church’s heritage and continues to be part of who
the church is today.
Since the church became known as Community of Christ on April 6, 2001,
its leaders have worked directly with outside groups who have used the
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and RLDS names
without authorization to try to find resolutions that are fair to all
parties. Community of Christ regrets that legal action was the only
remaining option.
Community of Christ had filed a motion for preliminary injunction and a
complaint for trademark infringement on July 30, 2007, against a group who
had infringed on the church’s legal protection of the names Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and RLDS by using them without
authorization.
The Community of Christ is pleased with the affirmation by the court that
all ownership of and rights to the use of these trademarks reside in the
Community of Christ. This action by the U.S. District Court ends the
litigation by the Community of Christ aka Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints and Community of Christ Copyright Corporation against
the South Restoration Branch and its pastor.
We are optimistic this final judgment will clarify any confusion that may
have existed regarding the rights to or the intent of the Community of
Christ to maintain ownership and use of the names Reorganized Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and RLDS.
