J. Geils Sues for Trademark J. Geils Band

According to Reuters, John Giels, former guitarist and founder of the rock group the J. Geils Band, recently filed a lawsuit against other members of the band after he heard that they were planning to tour under the band's name without Giels on the lineup.

In Boston Superior Court last week Geils filed a lawsuit against former band mates Richard Salwitz, Danny Klein, Peter Wolf, and Seth Justman, claiming they "planned and conspired" to exclude Geils from their upcoming 11-concert tour (set to start August 25)  and in doing so were unlawfully using the group's trademarked name.

The original 1970's rock trio The J. Geils Band, best known for their hit "Centerfold," first split up in 1985, with numerous attempts at band reconciliation since then. (Originally members included Giels, Klein, and Wolf).

Geil's lawyer stated, "Together they're the J. Geils Band, but separately they're Mr. Wolf, Mr. Salwitz , Mr. Klein, and Mr. Justman. They do not have the right to take his name and use it, and try to deny him the right to use his own name."

Geils is currently seeking full rights to the trademarked name J. Geils Band and prohibition of the defendants' use of the band name, plus damages.