Cro-Mags founder Harley Flanagan is finally the sole owner of the Cro-Mags name. Lambgoat reports that papers filed on September 30 in the Southern District of New York Federal court bar former vocalist John Joseph from using any derivative of the Cro-Mags name (including his Cro-Mags JM moniker) from here on out, making Flanagan the only one able to use the name anymore.
Flanagan had taken Joseph to court earlier this year over a violation of a legal settlement that was made in 2019 that gave Flanagan the rights to the Cro-Mags name. Flanagan filed a federal trademark infringement suit that alleged Joseph used the name "Cro-Mags Jam" for an April 23 benefit concert in New York City's Tompkins Square Park. The use of the name Cro-Mags created confusion about who was performing, according to the court filing, and has resulted in the above action.
The lawsuit over the Cro-Mags name has been going on since 2018, when Flanagan initially filed a trademark infringement against Joseph and drummer Mackie Jayson for using the name. Joseph formally recognized the lawsuit and began performing under the name Cro-Mags JM. As for Flanagan, Cro-Mags released their first album in 20 years named In The Beginning featuring a guest spot from Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell.
