The_Noble_Cause wrote:Well, just to clarify, Jon never blocked JTT. It was Nightmare and Ross / Smitty. I don't think they had an issue with Neal playing Journey music. Just like they don't have an issue with Augeri (or anyone) playing Journey music. The issue was him trying to trademark the name "Neal Schon Journey Through Time" without permission and profiting off of it in the form of misc. merchandise etc.
It was NIghtmare who filed the original trademark violation. Then, Neal fired and sued Valory and Smith, saying they tried to take over the band, and then the counter suit from Valory and Smith. IMO, the lawsuits were settled after a bunch of sealed documents were threatened to be revealed in court...and then destroyed when it was settled. The real details of everything has never been made public...But, Nightmare forced out Schon and Cain from leadership and replaced them with Valory and Smith just prior to filing the trademark complaint...IMO, that caused "The Wrath Of Schon". But, it was NIGHTMARE who owns the trademark the corporation brought the lawsuit...which included Herbie, Steve Perry, Smith, and Valory...and Neal and Jon. Gregg may have been part of Nightmare, too...I don't remember. And, they added that attorney guy. The bottom line, is it was a corporate Nightmare action that was able to happen because of the Schon/Cain and Smith/Valory moves.
The problem is not using the "Journey Through Time" name...it was using similar logos and probably the font size and prominence of "Journey"....making it look like a Journey concert and not a Neal project...At least that's what I got from reading the original Trademark complaint, years ago.
Also, don't forget that Gregg forced Neal to stop using the Journey Through Time name in that defunct concert in Europe. This WAS a problem Gregg had with using the "Journey Through Time" name because it did not involve him and he disagreed with how the band name was being used.
Frankly, I think Jonathan should "quit" the band (but not Freedom LLC, or NoMoTa LLC) and Nightmare should only allow Neal to continue as "Journey featuring Neal Schon"...all in the same font, size and coloring, etc...and retire "Journey". It's time to end all the stupidity. Neal wants Journey to be "his" band, so let him...but attach it to his name so whatever he does keeps "Journey" clean.