Legal Battle Over C+C Music Factory Name: Clivillés vs. Williams
The cancellation of the Freedom 250 concerts on the National Mall in Washington this summer has led to a lawsuit between Robert Clivillés and Freedom Williams, the surviving co-founder of C+C Music Factory. The lawsuit, filed in the eastern district of New York, accuses Williams of defamation, fraud, trademark infringement, unfair competition, and breach of contract, seeking $30 million in damages. Clivillés alleges that Williams published a controversial video on social media during the controversy, prompting the legal action.
Clivillés, who is representing himself in the lawsuit, claims that Williams made inflammatory statements in a video posted on the official C+C Music Factory account, which Williams controls through a trademark claim. The video, filmed while Williams was sitting on a toilet, contained offensive language and references, leading Clivillés to disavow Williams' actions publicly. Despite warnings to stop using the group name, Williams released a new single under the C+C Music Factory name, prompting the legal dispute.
The lawsuit highlights the history of C+C Music Factory, emphasizing that Clivillés and the late David Cole were the sole members of the group. Williams, who was featured on several hit singles, was considered a guest artist rather than a group member. Clivillés claims that Williams demanded to be released from the group in 1991 and subsequently pursued a solo career. However, Williams continued to perform under the C+C Music Factory name without authorization, leading to the current legal battle.
Clivillés alleges that Williams obtained fraudulent trademark registrations for the C+C Music Factory name and has been performing unauthorized shows worldwide, collecting substantial fees. Despite previous attempts to challenge Williams' use of the name, legal errors prevented Clivillés from stopping Williams in the past. Clivillés maintains that he offered a compromise to Williams, requesting him to bill himself as "Freedom Williams formerly of C+C Music Factory," but Williams resumed using the infringing name.
In conclusion, the lawsuit between Robert Clivillés and Freedom Williams stems from a long-standing dispute over the use of the C+C Music Factory name. Clivillés accuses Williams of unauthorized trademark registration, fraudulent conduct, and defamation, seeking significant damages in the legal action. The ongoing conflict highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights and the challenges of protecting a brand in the music industry.