Funk Band Name ‘Commodores’ Can’t Be Used by Former Member

A permanent injunction blocking a former member of the Commodores funk band from using a confusingly similar name was not impermissibly broad, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled Jan. 10.

The court also affirmed a trial ruling as a matter of law that Thomas McClary gave up any right to use the “Commodores” name when he left the group in 1984.

Disputes over the use of names of musical acts have become common as groups have split up and former members have started new bands. The ruling shows that a founding member can lose rights in ...