Judge Dismisses Suit by Episcopal Church Against Breakaway SC Diocese Over Bishop Trademark

From South Carolina-

A U.S. District Judge in South Carolina has dismissed a trademark lawsuit leveled against a diocese that broke away from The Episcopal Church over theological differences.

Judge C. Weston Houck of Charleston decided last Thursday that The Episcopal Church in South Carolina's suit claiming rightful ownership of the title of bishop was to be "denied without prejudice."

The suit, filed by Rev. Charles vonRosenberg against Rev. Mark Lawrence, was over which of the two men could rightfully use the title of bishop of the South Carolina Diocese.

While Houck said vonRosenberg held legal standing to sue, the judge wrote that the lawsuit conflicted with a nearly identical case filed earlier over the rightful control of the diocese.

"The state court action and this action involve overlapping, thus, presenting a clear entanglement threat," wrote Houck.

"…a decision by this Court to grant Bishop vonRosenberg's desired injunctive relief concerning the use of the Diocese's service marks will be in direct contravention of a temporary injunction already issued by the state court."

Read more at

http://www.christianpost.com/news/judge-dismisses-suit-by-episcopal-church-against-breakaway-sc-diocese-over-bishop-trademark-103056/#LWUtazTbejgYVGt5.99 

Also here

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130826/WIRE/130829762/1088/sports?Title=Federal-judge-Episcopal-issues-belong-in-state-court-

and here-

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/85782ef999fb40ceb4381de7c4768331/SC--Episcopal-Future