| The Platters time in the
courts has been nearly constant since the group's inception in the 1950s.
As members began leaving the group, disputes began to arise early on as
to who legally had the rights to perform using the name. Former and current
members, management companies, children, and wives have all claimed rights
to the name. Unfortunately, this topic has yet to be put to rest in the
court system.... leading to over 20 groups world-wide that use The Platters
name in some variation.
It is important to note that
only original member Herb Reed, Sonny Turner (1960-69), and Monroe Powell
are the only members of current groups that have ever recorded, performed,
and obtained the public's goodwill as member's of The Platters.
Please check back here soon
for full links, text, and copies of documents giving a closer insight into
this interesting, albeit confusing, part of music history.
Effective August, 2000 Herb
Reed has received notification from the US Patent and Trademark Office
that he has received rights to The Platters name. This case is definately
not closed, but we have received word that there will be a severe 'clamp
down' on those groups with no ties to The Platters.
It should also be noted that
recently Herb Reed and Jean Bennett appeared in Federal Court against each
other. The verdict, which is currently being appealed, went in Bennett's
favor. According to a representative of the Bennett camp, Herb Reed (and/or
anyone else) may only perform as "Herb Reed Formerly of The Platters."
According to a representative of Mr. Reed, the verdict ruled that Herb
must say "Herb Reed's Platters" as opposed to using "The Platters."
As of November, 2002, Monroe
Powell has came to an agreement with Jean Bennett allowing him to work
as The Platters Featuring The Legendary Monroe Powell.
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