Legal Battles (Page 2)
Legal battles have been waged and continue to be waged over ownership of The Platters'
name.  Bogus groups - "the Great Pretenders" - have earned a good living calling themselves
The Platters until sued and stopped. There are as many as 20 groups appearing around the
country at any given time claiming to be "Original," "Amazing," "World Renowned," etc.-
most have no relationship to Buck Ram or The Platters.
As required by trademark law, suit has been brought by The Five Platters, Inc. against these
groups and former members who have left. These suits were based on the non-complete
clause in their contracts.
Former group members have also brought suit among themselves and against The Five
Platters, Inc. .
The Five Platters, Inc. has prevailed in all cases except two. The Robi case threw the
trademark into the public domain.  However, the court has reconginzed that as the only
entity that has used the name The Platters consistenely for 50 years, The Five Platters, Inc.
has common law rights.
Results of Major Law Suits
Sonny Turner
Despite a non-complete clause in his contract, Sonny Turner continued performing as The Platters
and was sued by The Five Platters, Inc. The result was Turner having a injunction placed against
him on January 22, 1971.
Martha Robi
2. Herbert Reed shall, for as long as he lives and so long as he complies with the terms of this Settlement,
without interference from the Plaintiff, have the right to perform  or entertain in any place and with any
medium other than commercial recordings (phonographic recordings, audio or video recordings of any
kind, commercials, etc.) as Herb Reed and the Platters and in any form or in any medium as Herb or
Herbert Reed of the Original Platters or as Herb or Herbert Reed.  Herbert Reed agrees that the nature and
quality of all services rendered in connection with the name Herb Reed and the Platters shall conform with
the reasonable standards used and set by Plaintiff.
When Martha Robi, widow of former group member Paul Robi, filed suit against Reed claiming she
had rights to the name and that Reed should be barred from performing as The Platters, Bennett
provided Reed with documentation to help defend the case.  Robi lost and was ordered to turn over
all promotional materials to the court.
The following order was entered and served on September 29, 1997, in the United States
District Court, District of Nevada.
The Court having considered the pleadings and papers, and having rendered its decision in favor of
Defendants and Counter claimants Herb Reed, John Villano, and John P. Productions, Inc., therefore,
THE COURT ORDERS AND ADJUDGES that the complaint of Plaintiff Martha Robi is DISMISSED with
prejudice and she shall take nothing.
THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS AND ADJUDGES that Martha Robi, her agents, servants, employees,
attorney, and persons in active concert or participation with them, are permanently enjoined from using in
any manner the mark ?The Platters? alone or in conjunction with any other names or words.
THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS AND ADJUDGES that Martha Robi, her agents, servants, employees,
attorney, and persons in active concert or participation with them, shall deliver to this Court (or to an
officer appointed by this Court) for destruction all goods, articles, or other matters bearing the mark ?The
Platters?, including goods, articles, and other matters bearing the mark ?The Platters? alone or in
conjunction with any other names or words.
THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS AND ADJUDGES that Martha Robi?s Nevada Registration of the
service mark ?The Platters? and all other state registration by Martha Robi of the service mark ?The
Platters? are canceled.
THE COURT FURTHER ORDERS AND ADJUDGES that JUDGEMENT is GRANTED in favor of
Counter claimants Herb Reed, John Villano, and John P. Productions, Inc. and that Counter claimants are
awarded damages in an amount to be determined at a hearing.
Legal Battles (Page 2)


IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the temporary restraining order dated
January 16, 1971, be and is hereby made permanent.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Defendants Turner, Roe, and Doar are permanently restrained and
enjoined from  representing or billing themselves as "The Platters" or any other similar name incorporating
or using the word "Platters" or in any other manner, way or form so as ot lead the public to believe that
the Defendants are members of or constitute the entertainment group and singing group employed,
promoted and advertised and projected by the Plantiff into acclaim and renown as "The Platters."
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Defendants are enjoined from advertising, promoting, representing,
or promoting, representing or projecting the Defendants or any of them, in newspapers, radio or television
or by any other means of public advertising or billing as appearing and performing or to appear or
perform in Spartanburg County, South Carolina as "The Platters" or "Sonny Turner and the Platters", or
any other similar name incorporating or using the word "Platters", so as to lead teh public to believe that
the Defendants are members of or constitute the entertainment and singing group employed, promoted,
advertised and projected by Plaintiff to acclaim and renown as "The Platters."
Herb Reed
Reed was the only member of the group who did not sell his stock in The Five Platters, Inc. He held
onto it until November 25, 1987, when he exchanged it for a permanent license to perform as Herb
Reed and The Platters. The court finding reads as follows:
Our Mission: Protecting the Past, Celebrating the Present, Commanding
the Future, One generation at a time.