Cro-Mags founder Harley Flanagan and current trademark holder has filed a lawsuit against his former bandmate John Joseph McGowan (a.k.a. John Joseph, John Bloodclot) for allegedly ripping off the group’s name. According to a published report from the New York Post and Blabbermouth.net, the federal trademark infringement lawsuit, filed on Monday by Savoia NYC Inc., which is owned by Flanagan, claims that McGowan used the name “Cro-Mags Jam” in violation of a 2019 settlement agreement giving Flanagan the rights to the Cro-Mags name. The suit alleges McGowan used “Cro-Mags Jam” to promote an April 23rd, 2019 benefit concert in the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park, causing confusion about who was actually performing, according to the filing. Just prior to that concert the two parties came to an agreement in which Flannagan retained the name, logos and all legal rights to release music as Cro-Mags, while Joseph and Mackie Jason were to operate under Cro-Mags “JM.” Flannigan released an album – In The Beginning, and an EP, 2020, via the Mission Two Entertainment label in 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CehWvaWJHz1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
“The impermissible phrase Cro-Mags JAM suggests that Mr. Flanagan, the original member of Cro-Mags, would be conducting a jam session with other musicians—which is obviously not the case,” the suit states.
“This clearly constitutes unfair competition, trademark infringement, and a material breach of the Settlement Agreement, as it is an impermissible use of Plaintiff’s CROMAGS Mark,” the filing adds.
Flanagan shared a screenshot of the New York Post article and he included the following message: “When you have fought for something that is yours as hard as I have and spent the kind of money that I have you have to protect what you own you can’t just walk away from it when people decide to violate the terms. I have no problem fighting for what’s mine anybody who knows me knows that. I’m not afraid to do what’s right and I’m not afraid of anyone. So until you’ve had to fight for something that is yours as hard as I have you should shut the fuck up. And the New York post in particular has always taken every opportunity they can to shit on me and twist the truth. I wonder if it’s because the NY posts editor used to have a crush on my wife. Sorry buddy fuck you and your rag of a paper”.
Flanagan is seeking a permanent injunction to stop McGowan from using the trademark in any form.
Check out our interview with Harley about the past case and his future plans:
PODCAST: Episode 102: Harley Flanagan of Cro-Mags on “In The Beginning”