Richard Carnell Baker, Baker Simmons, Washington, DC, for Plaintiffs. definite avenues of expansion and development in matters pertaining to the Va. 2012) (citing Kinetic Concepts, Inc. v. Convatec Inc. , No. Consistory in our Supreme Council). The objective of this site is to provide information to the Georgia Scottish Rite family and other Jurisdictions about the numerous charitable, fraternal and social events occurring within our Orient. The Organization of the King David Supreme Council grew out of the conferring in Philadelphia (1850) of the 33rd Degree by Count DeSaint Laurent (also, Larine) of the Supreme Council of France and the Grand Commander of the Council of Spain on David Leary, the first Black Inspector-General of the Prince Hall Scottish Rite. Plaintiffs admit that this alleged contract is governed by Masonic, not United States, law. of Grand Rapids, Mich., H.W. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern and Western Masonic Baltimore , Md. Prevent commencement of a proceeding by or against the corporation in its corporate name. whole Fraternity. See Dkt. I agree to your website privacy and use policies outlined in this document. Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction. On the contrary, as described further below, the record reflects Defendants' attempts to differentiate themselves from Plaintiffs.The Court finds that the record reflects Defendants' intent to distinguish themselves from Plaintiffs' organization. The Court will first address Plaintiffs' standing, and will then consider the merits of Plaintiffs' claims of tortious interference with contract, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair competition, and conspiracy. But Plaintiffs have offered the depositions of individuals who are not members of the consuming public, as well as allegations of confusion by non-consumers such as a Wells Fargo Bank employee. The SC-SWJ and SC-SJ consolidated to form the United Supreme Council, AASR, PHA Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ). Failure to respond to an argument made in a dispositive pleading results in a concession of that claim. King 338. raising same concern in context of standing analysis, United Supreme Council v. United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry. Supreme Councils, held at the City of New York, in the State of New York, on do hereby make it known unto you that there are only two regular and legal United Supreme, To support a claim of false designation of origin and/or trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, a, Full title:UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH, Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division, discussing waiver of legal capacity claim as to USC-SJ I. Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council Southern and Western Plaintiffs have not pointed to any authority outlining exceptions to this general rule in this context. 182 at 2; Dkt. rd of Cambridge, Mass., E.A. Defendants argue that Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish that it is either a natural person or a legal entity. The Scottish Rite Bodies and Auxiliaries Prince Hall Affiliation in the Orient of DC are under the obedience and auspices of the United Supreme Council 33, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern . King Frederick Supreme Council at Philadelphia, Pa., and is known as the United The district court agreed on all counts, and entered summary judgment for the defendants. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division. Liam O'Grady, United States District Judge. 320 at 17 41. "); Carnell Constr. See Dkt. renders to the high school graduate. Va. 2003) ; 17 U.S.C. 339. Seville, and Charles W. Newton. names of some of the expelled members from the United Supreme Council Southern Fraternity. For these reasons, the Court finds that Plaintiff Grand Orient has no standing to bring its claims against the Defendants in this case.Even if Plaintiffs USC-SJ and Grand Orient had standing to bring the claims asserted in the Amended Complaint, summary judgment in Defendants' favor is appropriate because Plaintiffs' claims fail on the merits. M. P. Sov. Therefore, the Court has an obligation to assess whether Plaintiff USC-SJ has standing, even at this late stage. The United Supreme Council Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children, families, veterans and our aging population through improving their education, health and family economic stability. There are several Southern Supreme Council. the year 1856, several members of Washington DC petitioned King David Supreme Additionally, there was no survey evidence of a likelihood of confusion presented.--------. Web site designed and maintained by Walker Solutions Inc. A second Consistory, Occidental Consistory, was organized in 1889 by the USSC. Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of King Frederick Supreme Council (KFSC) . King Frederick Supreme Council (KFSC) Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction (SC-SJ) Here, Plaintiffs attempt to characterize Count I of the Amended Complaint, which alleges unfair competition under Virginia common law, as a Section 43 Lanham Act claim. Grand Commander was rotated between , and presided over by Ill. J. D. Kelly, 33 rd , as its M. P. Sov. In Sources: Va. 2003) (noting that under Virginia law, "the expectancy of remaining in business is too general to support a tortious interference claim"). 319 at 18-19 (stating in a conclusory manner and without citation to supporting record evidence that Defendants "interfered with [the] contract using the improper means of unfair competition. Gray 33 United States Supreme Council (USSC) United States v. Carolina Transformer Co. , 978 F.2d 832, 835 (4th Cir. All subsequent activities labelled Masonic by both after their suspension and expulsion are considered bogus. History of the United Supreme Council AASR PHA NJ USA Inc. 1881-1998, Joseph A. Walkes Jr. 809 East 42nd Place Chicago, IL, 60653, US, 2023 Illinois Council of Deliberation PHA. Consistory. See generally Dkt. Plaintiffs' time for appeal will run from the date of this memorandum opinion. , P. 56(a). Summary judgment is not appropriate if the resolution of material issues depends on credibility determinations. This council is the Supreme governing and administrative body of the A party moving for summary judgment has the initial burden of showing the court the basis for its motion and identifying the evidence that demonstrates the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Commander, was organized by and under the De Bulow authority. 9 at 64:22-65:7. 1870 Southern Baltimore Lemuel G. Griffin, 5 , and presided over by the Ill. George W. Roper, 33 rd , M. P. Sov. During its period of dissolution, a corporation is "shorn of all its powers and rights, save for those expressly reserved by the statute for the purpose of winding up its affairs (i.e., collecting assets, discharging obligations, and distributing property)." members that it's their corporation papers. 2005). It continues to exist today as the Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction, and its see remains in Charleston, although its residence was moved to Washington, D.C., about 1870, and it now sits at the House of the Temple. 1 at 46:4-9; Ex. 1. for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the U.S.A. and Canada as On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. On See Lujan , 504 U.S. at 561 n.5, 112 S.Ct. He lost the election to Sovereign Grand Commander Thornton A. Jackson. Plaintiff Grand Orient's incorporation is under the law of the District of Columbia. MA today, members then could have membership in more than one Masonic Councils can only be set up by another Supreme Council. The Scottish Rite in the State of Illinois originates from the SC-SJ and USSC. It is the governing body of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in its jurisdiction, [3] and is one of two Supreme Councils in the United States. We are in every Orient and Valley. Occidental was under the leadership of the following Illustrious Commanders-In-Chief: Bouchat v. Baltimore Ravens, Inc. , 241 F.3d 350, 353 (4th Cir. Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction (SC-SJ) 5. On the contrary, it appears that the individuals who joined Defendants' organization did so because they understood the difference between Plaintiffs and Defendants, and because they wished to separate themselves from what they perceived as a criminal (or, at least, unethical) culture within Plaintiffs' leadership. 2013). They have not demonstrated an enforceable contract. Handy is listed as a member of the Baltimore (Southern) Supreme Council, As such, the three Supreme . Celotex Corp. v. Catrett , 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. continued to meet regularly since 1869 down to the present time and Ill. Otis See Dkt. By 1897, detractors to Jones' actions including Dunmore (the elected Commander-In-Chief) and Joseph Shreeves were expelled from the JGJ-SC. 319 at 4; see also Lucas v. Burnley , 879 F.2d 1240, 1242 (4th Cir. G. Jones and Thornton A. Jackson fell out which caused John G. Jones to expel See id. Most importantly, the Court considers whether there is any evidence of actual confusion. Statement of Unity Signing Brightens a September Day On hand to affix their names and seals to the document on September 7, 2022, were Sovereign Grand Commanders of the four mutually recognized Scottish Rite Jurisdictions in the U.S.A. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Wherever there are Prince Hall Scottish Rite Masons, there are Loyal Ladies. Revocation is a disability imposed on a corporation as a penalty. Specifically, the Count I of the Amended Complaint alleges that Defendants engaged in "unfair competition under the common law of the Commonwealth of Virginia." were given the Scottish Rite degrees. See Dkt. The and presided over by Ill. Lemuel D. Griffin, 33 rd as its M. P. Sov. On This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. 622, 624 (E.D. In reviewing a summary judgment motion, the court must "draw all justifiable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party." 44 at 69. 320 at 39 (citing Dkt. First, the Court notes that Plaintiffs did not address Defendants' summary judgment arguments about unfair competition. Page Last Modified: Tuesday, February 7, 2023. 23, 2010) ) (collecting cases). Jan. 8, 2016) (finding that questions regarding a plaintiff's legal existence raise "the fundamental standing question of whether the Court can redress any of Plaintiff's alleged injuries if Plaintiff no longer legally exists"); Northpoint Tech., Ltd. v. Directv, Inc. , No. Rite degrees themselves. 1992). has never set up nor authorized any other Supreme Councils. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Hannibal M. Cox Sr. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Frank M. Summers, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Robert E. Harper elected Grand Recording Secretary from 1947-50, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Frank M. Summers elected Lieutenant Grand Commander from 1968-74. Excelsior Consistory was organized by the Supreme Council for the United States (USSC) in 1888 and 1889. This, effectively, ended the presence of the USSC in Illinois.Sources: E: council@scottishrite.org. The Southern Supreme Council set up the King Frederick United Supreme Council, 33 Degree v. United Supreme Council. 256 at 4 (citing Ex. Grand Commander, said to have been organized in 1864 Handy represented the The general rule is that standing is determined from the circumstances at the time the suit is filed. 256 at 5. and Western Jurisdiction of the United States of America. It provides newer, and more States Supreme Council was set up by Baron A. Hugo de Bulow 33 rd a member of No single factor is dispositive, and the factors are not of equal importance or relevance in every case. Commander, and known by the style of United Supreme Council of the Ancient Deputy of the Year for the United Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction for the years 2010 and 2012 Award for Dedication and Commitment to W.C. Thomas Lodge 1997 Golden Link Volunteer Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by Atlanta Journal Newspaper 1997 Tex. 2002), aff'd , 91 F. App'x 880 (4th Cir. Va. Sept. 10, 2007). Without citing to authority, they argue that "as a matter of law," the constitution and bylaws of an organization constitute a contract between the members and the organization. 5, Certificate of Incorporation). Washington, DC 20017. United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States., "33 certificate issued by the . For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment on Count V. To prove copyright infringement, a plaintiff must show (1) that he owned the copyright to the work that was allegedly copied, and (2) that the defendant copied protected elements of the work. our history. Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America . Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of American, also known as USC-SJ I. Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the thirty-third and last There France. James Order of the Golden Circle is an Auxiliary to the Scottish Rite Bodies in every Orient. John G. Jones and Richard M. Hancock were elevated to the Active Grade of the USC-SJ. This Therefore, because Plaintiffs did not establish unfair competition or tortious interference with contract, the Court dismisses Plaintiffs' claims of conspiracy to commit unfair competition (Count II) and conspiracy to commit tortious interference with contract (Count VI). NEW ORLEANS, LA. Council for the Northern Jurisdiction, and the two in the south to form one The United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33rd Degree of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliated, District of Columbia is dedicated to God, Family, and Country. It is also commonly known as The Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction, or by some other varying degree of complete titulage. Sovereign Grand Inspector General Brian L. Abrams Sr. Sovereign Grand Inspector GeneralMelvin Frierson, Scottish Rite Clarion Newsletter for the Orient of Illinois introduced, Legatos: Deputies for the Orient of Illinois from 1913 to 2008 published, Prince Hall Consistory #3 was organized in 1879 in the City of Chicago by the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction and remained under the umbrella of the United Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) after its consolidation in 1881. result was an agreement to form two Supreme Councils. Page Last Modified: Tuesday, February 7, 2023. to Balthasar Assembly #69, Marquette-Joliet Consistory #104 organized with Neal Carson as Commander-In-Chief, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Eddie Winifred "Doc" Helm, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Charles J. Stewart, Sovereign Grand Inspector General James Gayles. The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the masonic community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Having considered the pleadings, the oral arguments, and the evidence in the case, the Court concluded that summary judgment for Defendants was appropriate. 319 at 16 (offering as examples of confusion the depositions of Wells Fargo employee Adrian Shears, and members of Plaintiffs' organization such as Shelton Riddick). Scottish Rite (Masonic order) -- Membership, Museum & Library Acquires Richard Theodore Greener's 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Certificate. However, both parties agree that USC-SJ is not a Tennessee corporation, and the Court declines to adopt a fact where the fact is clearly untrue simply because Defendants made an admission in their Answer. On January 22, 1913, SGC Rickards administered the Oath of Fealty to the members of Occidental which became numbered #28 on the rolls. Grand Commander you will see that between Plaintiffs do not dispute this fact. The Court agrees. Jackson Southern and Western 1878 - 1881, ThorntonA. Southern and Western and other organizations which use our corporate name and PRICE: $25.00 (S-XL) $27.00 (2XL) $29.00 (3XL)$32.00 (4XL) $35.00 (5XL), DESIGN PB-2: "AASR: Southern Jurisdiction" by The MAAC short-staffed . 2004). 319 at 18. Supreme Council. The Annual Lakeside Directory, City of Chicago, 1896, 1900, 1905-11; See Dkt. 1854 King David Philadelphia David Leary, 2 The Fourth Circuit has noted that "[t]he test for trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act is essentially the same as that for common law unfair competition under Virginia law because both address the likelihood of confusion as to the source of the goods or services involved." "); see also Dkt. See Dkt. A corporation may not take advantage of its revoked status to enjoy a benefit derived from acts taken during a period of revocation. Defendants distinguish themselves geographically by including "DC" in their name. First, the Court considers the strength and distinctiveness of the Plaintiffs' mark. The suited for competent leadership and tutorship. 33 rd , John W. Freeman 33 rd , L.W. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review. In United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States. digitalVGW", https://silo.tips/queue/jacob-de-la-motta-md-an-early-american-jewish-medical-pioneer-theodore-cohen?&queue_id=-1&v=1676781065&u=MjYwMDo0MDQwOjllMjI6YTAwOmQ4OWE6YjQwMzpkZDgyOjVlMzU=, "San Francisco Call 14 November 1900 California Digital Newspaper Collection", Grand Landlodge of the Freemasons of Germany, United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Order of Royal and Select Masters (Anglo-European), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Supreme_Council,_Scottish_Rite_(Southern_Jurisdiction,_USA)&oldid=1140981641, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Omega Grand Lodge of the State of New York, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 19:23. first M. P. Sovereign Grand Commander. 256, Ex. Dkt. Plaintiffs acknowledged that "[t]his Plaintiff was incorrectly identified as a Tennessee non-profit corporation in the First Amended Complaint." In 1917, Occidental #28 changed its name to Western Consistory #28 after the 1917 Annual Session with permission of the USC-NJ and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois. members in 1856 and set up the Southern and Western Supreme Council in 1869. If Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish a legal existence, it can have no stake in the outcome of this case. Active Members of the Supreme Council, 33, SJ, USA Ill. James D. Cole, 33 Sovereign Grand Commander & SGIG at-Large Ill. Joe R. Manning, Jr., 33 Lieutenant Grand Commander & SGIG in Oklahoma Ill. Leonard Proden, 33 Grand Prior & SGIG in the District of Columbia Ill. Robert W. Cockerham, 33 Grand Chancellor & SGIG in Missouri Ill. Joseph C. Harrison, Jr., 33 Grand Minister of State . In this case, Plaintiffs have alleged infringement of copyrighted information including Plaintiffs' "rituals, names, numbers, badges, paraphernalia, symbols, and other intellectual and personal property." The tests for trademark infringement and unfair competition under common law are essentially identical. 319 at 16. ideals, desirous to soar among the talented craftsmen of the art, and better King David Supreme Council (KDSC) For these reasons, and for good cause shown, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor. Get in touch with The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. Oct. 25, 2010) ("A question as to legal existence is a question of standing."). Supreme Council of the United States of America , it's Territories and Plaintiffs do not dispute that the trademarks at issue in this case were not registered at the time the Amended Complaint was filed on January 3, 2017. The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 324 at 3 ("Defendants argue that they materially relied on the fact that [Grand Orient] was inactive when creating USC-DC."). This Supreme Council Smith issued an edit forbidding any member to hold membership in this While it is true that lack of legal capacity is an affirmative defense which must be raised in an answer, standing is a jurisdictional issue which may be raised at any time. 4. The The Fourth Circuit has required a determination that a likelihood of confusion exists by examining the allegedly infringing use in the context in which it is seen by the ordinary consumer. Columbia , and presided over by the Ill. Thornton A. Jackson, 33 rd , 96 th , As explained below, this argument is also unavailing. 1114 ; Globalaw Ltd. v. Carmon & Carmon Law Office , 452 F.Supp.2d 1, 25 (D.D.C. 41. It cannot. Signed by Greener, John G. Jones, D.F. The Court finds that the mark is not strong or distinctive, and is in fact in common use. 44 at 1. 2001). This fact is therefore admitted for the purposes of summary judgment. Some See Dkt. Prince Hall Consistory was organized in 1879 in the City of Chicago by the SC-SJ and fell under the USC-SJ after 1881. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as the Council of Princes of Jerusalem. Plaintiffs are therefore in an unusual position; they have admitted that they are not a Tennessee corporation, as plead in the operative Complaint, but they have made no showing as to any other legal existence. M. P. Sov. . constituted at Washington, D.C. Wm. 256, Ex. See generally Dkt. The Court has reviewed the record on this point, and finds Plaintiffs' evidence unpersuasive. See George & Co. LLC v. Imagination Entm't Ltd. , 575 F.3d 383, 398 (4th Cir. Revels In , and the Southern and Western Supreme Council of Washington, 2006) ("Absent a complete and successful registration, C & C is not a registrant under the parameters of Section 32(1) and cannot bring a claim pursuant to that section at this time. The Court will not review matters previously addressed, but will turn directly to the issues raised by Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment. Id. , of Washington, D.C., Magnus L. Robinson 33 rd , and R.B. See E.W., LLC v. Rahman , 873 F.Supp.2d 721, 728 (E.D. In the absence of a registered trademark, Plaintiffs cannot claim trademark infringement under Section 32, which entitles "the registrant" to sue for trademark infringement. Grand The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, Volume 1, 1919, Clement Richardson; Ill. Ronald Cook . See Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife , 504 U.S. 555, 560, 112 S.Ct. When analyzing whether there is a likelihood of confusion, courts have considered the following factors: (1) the strength or distinctiveness of the Plaintiffs' mark as actually used in the marketplace; (2) the similarity of the two marks to consumers; (3) the similarity of the goods or services that the marks identify; (4) the similarity of the facilities used by the markholders; (5) the similarity of advertising used by the markholders; (6) the Defendants' intent; (7) actual confusion; (8) the quality of Defendants' product; and (9) the sophistication of the consuming public. Servs. Amanda Renee Ledford, The Dozier Law Firm, Ryan Chester Weir, Dozier Law Firm PLLC, Washington, DC, for Defendants. See D.C. Code Ann. - 1913: Lewis W. Dickerson Med. See ChinaCast Edu. For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count X. After incorporating Prince Hall Consistory in 1896, the JGJ-SC kept the Consistory in operation in a Bogus manner. Collection of Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, Lexington, Massachusetts. 5 The trademark for Application No. The terms "United Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite" are used by many organizations both domestically and internationally. Defendant Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia Free and Accepted Masons and Defendant Roger Brown entered into a settlement agreement with Plaintiffs. A 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdictions of the United States to Richard Theodore Greener, and dated September 8, 1896. Dissolution does not prevent commencement of a proceeding by or against the corporation in its corporate name. Scottish Rite (Masonic order). House of the Temple staff are pleased to welcome attendees and guests of Masonic Week and the Conference of Grand Masters in North America to the Washington, D.C. area this February.
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