Delta Sigma Theta Settles Trademark Infringement Complaint ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007
Contacts:
Gwendolyn Crump, PR Coordinator
grcump@deltasigmatheta.org
202-498-6286
Delta Sigma Theta Settles Trademark Infringement Complaint
Against Derek & Jamar Productions
Washington, D.C. – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has entered into an
agreement with Derek & Jamar Productions, LLC to settle the lawsuit it filed in
November 2006 to prohibit Derek & Jamar from infringing on Delta’s trademarks
and defaming the organization and its leadership in promoting Derek & Jamar’s film,
Black Sorority Project. Although Delta’s position remains that it does not endorse,
support, sponsor, or approve of the Black Sorority Project, it entered into the
settlement because it achieved through settlement exactly what it sought in filing the
lawsuit.
Derek & Jamar agreed to cease infringing on Delta’s trademarks and making
statements that damage Delta’s reputation and goodwill and agreed to use the
appropriate disclaimer on all promotions connected with the project. In addition,
Derek & Jamar agreed to remove from its website misrepresentations about Delta
and its leadership and to apologize for those misrepresentations. Defendant also
acknowledged that the misrepresentations were harmful to Delta and its leadership.
informally.
Before filing the lawsuit, Delta had tried unsuccessfully to resolve the matter
“Delta’s trademarks are valuable property,” said Dr. Louise A. Rice, National
President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “Our reputation and goodwill have
been cultivated through more than 94 years of dedication, discipline and

determination by Delta leaders and members. Deltas trademarks, its reputation,
and its goodwill are worthy of protection, and we will diligently pursue actions to
protect and preserve them.”
Founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Incorporated is a public service organization of college-educated African-
American women and has chapters in 46 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
abroad. Its extensive programming centers on five key areas: economic
development, educational development, international awareness and involvement,
physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.
END