Opinion ID: 6333186
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Names, Styles, Emblems, and Service Marks

Text: There is also a dispute in this case regarding which entity owns certain names, styles, emblems, and service marks and whether the 2017 Court ruled on these issues. Judge Goodstein enjoined the National Church and the Associated Diocese from using, assuming, or adopting in any way, directly or indirectly the names, styles, emblems or marks of the Parishes or the Disassociated Diocese. Judge Dickson found the Federal Court has jurisdiction over matters related to the trademarks, intellectual property, and service marks, and likewise follows and conforms to the five opinions of 2017 on these issues. Although they did not cross appeal on the issue, the Parishes and the Disassociated Diocese argue we should consider the trademark issues because the Justices were split on the issues in the five opinions of 2017. We agree with Judge Dickson that three Justices in 2017 made a final decision that these issues should be litigated in federal court. 421 S.C. at 249 n.28, 806 S.E.2d at 102 n.28 (Beatty, C.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part) (I express no opinion concerning the rights to the service marks as I believe this determination should remain with the federal court.); 421 S.C. at 288, 806 S.E.2d at 123 (Toal, J., dissenting) ([B]ecause there is already a pending federal case involving the applicability of the Lanham Act to these exact marks, I would defer to the federal courts regarding the applicability of federal copyright law.); 421 S.C. at 251 n.31, 806 S.E.2d at 103 n.31 (Kittredge, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part) (joining Justice Toal's opinion except for her conclusion no trust was created). It is our understanding these issues are currently on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. We defer to the federal courts on these issues.