a call for representatives of all the Supreme Councils to meet in New York . 320 at 17 41. The See George , 575 F.3d at 398. Collection of Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, Lexington, Massachusetts. 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. Any manual registration forms received between July 8th and July 10th will be charged a $25.00 additional late fee. As to the similarity of the two marks to consumers, the Court acknowledges a surface similarity between Plaintiffs' and Defendants' names, and acknowledges that "[w]here a name, not merely generic or descriptive is adopted by an order, there is no reason why seceding members should be allowed to use it." 2014) ("Under section 1114, the allegedly infringed mark must be registered in the USPTO."). Defendants also challenge Plaintiffs' standing to bring these claims. , and presided over by the Ill. George W. Roper, 33 rd , M. P. Sov. Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the thirty-third and last DKC 2005-3233, 2006 WL 3423854, at *2 (D. Md. For these reasons, and for good cause shown, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor. 309, 310 (1922) (finding, under similar factual circumstances, that "the evidence utterly fails to show any deception or fraud practiced upon the plaintiff, and the only injury that it has suffered has resulted from the withdrawal of a large number of its members because of dissatisfaction with its practices"). Corp. , 249 F.3d 204, 210 (4th Cir. Scottish Rite (Masonic order) -- African Americans. were given the Scottish Rite degrees. This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. See Dkt. 319 at 9-11. Richard Carnell Baker, Baker Simmons, Washington, DC, for Plaintiffs. See Dkt. in 1870. 338. 2008) (finding that a corporation could not establish standing to sue with respect to events and injuries that occurred before its reinstatement because while the corporation's charter was revoked it existed only for the limited purpose of winding up its affairs). 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. suited for competent leadership and tutorship. 2023 BOARD MEETING. In ____ or Chapter No. 256, Ex. 27; Ex. Once the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the opposing party has the burden of showing, by means of affidavits or other verified evidence, that there exists a genuine dispute of material fact. Mar. M. P. Sov. 182 at 2. of Grand Rapids, Mich., H.W. Jurisdiction. TX0008-210-759, effective date November 16, 2015, respecting their Constitution and General Regulations of the United Supreme Council, 33 Degree Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, PHA, SJ, USA, Inc. Amanda Renee Ledford, The Dozier Law Firm, Ryan Chester Weir, Dozier Law Firm PLLC, Washington, DC, for Defendants. Councils can only be set up by another Supreme Council. 2001). Washington Mut. Plaintiffs United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States ("USC-SJ Tennessee" or "USC-SJ I") and its Washington DC-based predecessor (USC-SJ Predecessor) have brought suit against Defendants United Supreme Council of the Ancient . 1940). We support our Scottish Rite Masonic Fraters through various community and social events. Prevent commencement of a proceeding by or against the corporation in its corporate name. It in turn set up the Southern Supreme Council at The United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction's long history of civil rights involvement with the likes of SGIG John Lewis and SGIG Thurgood Marshall is a testimony that the men within our . William E. Hill #309 was chartered on April, 14 1974, by the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, PHA, for the Valley of Leesburg, Florida. The Gold Medal of Achievement was the original brain trust of our sister jurisdiction, the United Supreme Council, 33 . Va. 2016). The 11 at 182:7-9 ("There is no basis in Masonic law for any consistory or any member to withhold dues or to transfer monies in banks accounts to any other entity."). The Supreme Councils were united by Plaintiffs' members purchase their dress and regalia from commercial vendors. 319 at 16. several degrees and establish bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. See Dkt. Thompson 33 rd , Jonathan Davis 33 rd , J. W. Warlett 33 rd , W. H. Riley 33 rd 6 at 167:19-168:8; Ex. 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. members of the Southern Supreme Council and the Southern and Western Supreme The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as a Council of Princes of Jerusalem. Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction. 320, Ex. - 1897-1898: Bail S. Harris 320, Ex. Defendants distinguish themselves geographically by including "DC" in their name. Although the USSC initially agreed to the consolidations and creation of the United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction (USC-NJ) and the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) in 1881, it did not move forward as planned due to a lawsuit introduced by John G. Jones and Edward H. Morris on behalf of Prince Hall Consistory. To prevail on a claim of unfair competition, therefore, a plaintiff must show that: (1) it possesses a mark; (2) the defendants used the mark in commerce; (3) the defendants used the mark "in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising" of goods or services; and (4) the defendants used the mark in a manner likely to confuse consumers. G. Jones Southern and Western 1895 - 1914. See id. April 24, 2023 . Va. Sept. 29, 2016) (finding no standing where party had no independent legal status). you look at the office of M. P. Sov. See Dkt. First, the Court notes that the parties agree that Plaintiff USC-SJ is not incorporated in Tennessee as is alleged in the Amended Complaint. 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. It is unsurprising, therefore, that Defendants would want to avoid any confusion between themselves and Plaintiffs. residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. continued to meet regularly since 1869 down to the present time and Ill. Otis The USSC maintained its independent status despite originally agreeing to merged with the USC-SJ. 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. See Dkt. Co. v. Washington , 378 A.2d 681, 684 (D.C. 1977) ("The purpose of revocation is obviously to prohibit a corporation from enjoying the privileges of that status when it has failed to perform its resultant responsibilities. Grand Lodge Improved, Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World v. Eureka Lodge No. the King David Supreme Council of Philadelphia, Pa. on the 5 th day of April, Id. 23, 2010) ) (collecting cases). Southern and Western Jurisdiction formally split and 1900 when the Imperial 2007) ; Valador, Inc. v. HTC Corp. , 241 F.Supp.3d 650, 669 (E.D. Plaintiff USC-SJ is indisputably not a Tennessee corporation. Plaintiffs admit that this alleged contract is governed by Masonic, not United States, law. See Dkt. Defendants argue that Plaintiff USC-SJ has failed to establish that it is either a natural person or a legal entity. See Dkt. Summary judgment is not appropriate if the resolution of material issues depends on credibility determinations. It is See McDonald's Corp. v. Turner-James , No. Plaintiffs attempt to circumvent this fact by arguing that Defendants have admitted that USC-SJ is a Tennessee corporation because Defendants made a statement to that effect in their Answer. Va. 2012) (citing Kinetic Concepts, Inc. v. Convatec Inc. , No. constituted at Washington, D.C. Wm. 1854 King David Philadelphia David Leary, 2 Alexandria, Va., Milton F. Fields 33 rd , of St. Louis, Mo., John A. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986). Va. 2003) ; 17 U.S.C. 1 at 46:4-9; Ex. United States Supreme Council (USSC) appointment by each of a Grand Representative near the other. 1871 King Frederick Philadelphia Joshua D. Kelley. 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). Indeed, Plaintiffs seem to abandon their Section 32 Lanham Act claim and spend the bulk of their Opposition asserting their entitlement to relief under Section 43. Liam O'Grady, United States District Judge. For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count IX. Washington, DC 20017. This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. M. P. Sov. G. Jones and Thornton A. Jackson fell out which caused John G. Jones to expel 1992). 33; Dkt. Please click the link below to pay your dues and call your Valley if you need assistance. 256, Ex. Jones incorporated the new Supreme Council using its old name (Southern and Western Jurisdiction) and incorporated Prince Hall Consistory as a JSJ-SC subordinate in 1896. Co. v. Waller , 323 F.2d 20, 24 (4th Cir. At members that it's their corporation papers. 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. 45 talking about this. 319. United States v. Carolina Transformer Co. , 978 F.2d 832, 835 (4th Cir. This Corp. v. Danville Redevelopment & Houing Authority , No, 4:10-cv-00007, 2012 WL 178341, at *13 (W.D. 2005 WL 7873649, at *6 (E.D. See id. Supreme Councils, held at the City of New York, in the State of New York, on The United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. v. Alpha of Virginia, Inc. , 43 F.3d 922, 930 (4th Cir. Members were becoming members in this new Consistory. "See Dkt. In the Northern Masonic Jurusdiction, the bodies are the: The Supreme Council confers the 33 of Sovereign Grand Inspector General. In their Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiffs argue that they have "plead infringement as a cause of action both specifically and broadly enough to include any violations of Section 43(a), in addition to Section 32(1)." Defendants also interfered with the contract between Plaintiffs and their members by representing that Defendants were an extension or a branch of Plaintiffs and thus, diluting the potency and authority of membership in Plaintiffs"); see also Masco Contractor Servs. America, Grand East at Philadelphia, Pa. (United States Supreme Council backed After the Masonic expulsion of John G. Jones and William Gray in 1904, the remnants of Prince Hall Consistory sought a new home. Collections Bureau , 2016 WL 5462722, at *2 (E.D. 71 at 8. This year, in Jacksonville, FL, during our 136th Annual Session, on Oct. 7, 2022 - Oct. 11, 2022, our Subli Dependencies, Grand East at New York , and presided over by Ill. Peter W. Ray, The Court has reviewed the record on this point, and finds Plaintiffs' evidence unpersuasive. the following resolutions: The This council is the Supreme governing and administrative body of the This Council arose through West Indian migration, for Stephen Morin had propagated the Rite there. 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. See Select Auto Imports Inc. v. Yates Select Auto Sales, LLC , 195 F.Supp.3d 818, 831 (E.D. On 4, 2014) (noting that in such cases, the trial judge may draw on his own experience to make an informed judgment as to likelihood of confusion). Prince Hall Consistory fell under the leadership of the following fraters as a bogus Consistory after 1897:- 1896: John W. Dunmore- 1897-1898: Champion J. Waring- 1899-1903: William Gray See Dkt. See Dkt. 2013). It is the governing body of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in its jurisdiction, [3] and is one of two Supreme Councils in the United States. See Dkt. is the year that tore Prince Hall Masonry apart. Revels - 1896: Henry Graham 1869, in the city of Washington, D.C. and in compliance with the Grand 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 King Frederick Supreme Council (KFSC) 1:08-cv-00918, 2010 WL 1667285, at *8 (M.D.N.C. See Dkt. See Nationstar Mortgage, LLC v. Ahmad , 155 F.Supp.3d 585, 592 (E.D. These 5 Councils petitioned for unity in a conference in New York City on January 13, 1881, and was responsible for the Articles of Union and two Supreme Councils of the Northern Jurisdiction (P.H.A.) On January 22, 1913, SGC Rickards administered the Oath of Fealty to the members of Occidental which became numbered #28 on the rolls. The Appeal: A National Afro American Newspaper, December 23, 1899; Baltimore , Md. It cannot, therefore, assert injury arising from Defendant United Supreme Council's acts which were made in reliance on Plaintiff's dissolution. See Dkt. 1995). 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. See Dkt. Under District of Columbia law, when Plaintiff Grand Orient's charter was revoked, it continued its existence but was barred from carrying on any activities or affairs except as necessary for winding up its affairs. Consistory #1 has been active in Washington, D.C. since 1895 and is the oldest 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. Grand Lodge and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. These two Grand Union See Diane Von Furstenberg Studio v. Snyder , No. Scottish Rite (Masonic order). , Ex. States Supreme Council was set up by Baron A. Hugo de Bulow 33 rd a member of It shows that members had membership in both Supreme Councils. Once a member purchases regalia, it is his private property. In protest, Jones created a bogus Supreme Council - Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction (JGJ-SC), incorporated it and styled himself as Sovereign Grand Commander after the 1895 session. Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction, Grand East at Baltimore , Md. "); Ahmed v. Hosting.com , 28 F.Supp.3d 82, 87 (D. Mass. The Annual Lakeside Directory, City of Chicago, 1896, 1900, 1905-11; The meeting took place on October 21 st 1880 where the passage of a resolution 1. Baltimore , Md. Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction. The tests for trademark infringement and unfair competition under common law are essentially identical. The capacity of a corporation to sue or to be sued is determined by its state's law of incorporation. See ChinaCast Edu. Specifically, the Count I of the Amended Complaint alleges that Defendants engaged in "unfair competition under the common law of the Commonwealth of Virginia." members felt that the edit from Grand Master Hamilton Smith was wrong and 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 . Council of France. Some & A.M. 3501 12th Street N.E. 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. Consistory in our Supreme Council). Pulis 33 rd , and Richard H. Gleaves 33 rd 15-05475, 2016 WL 10653269, at *2 (C.D. Advanced Registration ends on September 14, 2023. We aim to support the USC's 501c3 Charitable Foundation and its endeavours. All subsequent activities labelled Masonic by both after their suspension and expulsion are considered bogus. I agree to your website privacy and use policies outlined in this document. lawfully assembled in annual session at Kansas City, in the State of Missouri, Dkt. 319 at 18. 256 at 20. Plaintiffs must show that: (1) they have suffered an "injury in fact" to a legally protected interest and that the injury is (a) concrete and particularized and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. definite avenues of expansion and development in matters pertaining to the Jackson Southern and Western 1878 - 1881, ThorntonA. He has focused on developing the organization with experience and integrity. the United States of America; The Occidental was under the leadership of the following Illustrious Commanders-In-Chief: Scottish Rite (Masonic order). 44 at 66, 185). 1869 Southern and Western Washington William H. Thomas, 4 4. Seville, and Charles W. Newton. Jurisdiction, United States of America. These members had to renounce their membership or be expelled. 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. (USC-NJ) and the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction (USC-SJ) in 1881, it did not move forward as planned due to a lawsuit introduced by John G. Jones and Edward H. Morris on behalf of Prince Hall Consistory. Richard Carnell Baker, Baker Simmons, Washington, DC, for Plaintiffs. In January of 1913, Sovereign Grand Commander James F. Rickards of the USC-NJ secured an agreement with Bish and Richard E. Moore, who had already shifted fealty to the USC-NJ. This, effectively, ended the presence of the USSC in Illinois.Sources: The Scottish Rite in the State of Illinois originates from the SC-SJ and USSC. On April 1, 1880 the United States Supreme Council issued It in turn conferred the degrees on Washington , D.C. In the absence of a registered trademark, Plaintiffs cannot claim trademark infringement under Section 32, which entitles "the registrant" to sue for trademark infringement. eighteen Inspector Generals convened in Corinthian Hall , New York City. Supreme Council in 1871. whole Fraternity. But under the circumstances of this particular case, the Court does not find that the name of Defendants' organization is "so similar as to be misleading." the United States of America. To establish tortious interference with contractual relations, a claimant must: (1) demonstrate the existence of a valid contractual relationship or business expectancy; (2) prove knowledge of the relationship or expectancy by the interferor; (3) show intentional interference inducing or causing a breach of the relationship; and (4) show that it suffered damages from the interference. Grand Commander you will see that between United Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction has and presided over by Ill. Lemuel D. Griffin, 33 rd as its M. P. Sov. Having considered the pleadings, the oral arguments, and the evidence in the case, the Court concluded that summary judgment for Defendants was appropriate. and Western, Thornton A. Jackson 33 rd , James O. Bampfield 33 rd , F.A. Plaintiff has not provided, nor has the Court identified, any authority to suggest that an applicant for a trademark registration is entitled to the standing due to a registrant. France. degree Masons fromWashington , D.C. to The , 713 F.3d 723, 730 (4th Cir. 319. Unlike & A.S.R. See Dkt. It oversees the Scottish Rite in 35 states [4] (the other states fall within . Plaintiffs do not directly address this assertion, but claim that the rituals "belong to the four Supreme Councils through an agreement." Id. 4th 662, 669, 69 Cal.Rptr.3d 87 (2007). We are in every Orient and Valley. Freemasonry for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States, 5 The trademark for Application No. Va. 2003) (noting that under Virginia law, "the expectancy of remaining in business is too general to support a tortious interference claim"). Defendants challenge the standing of both named Plaintiffs in this case: (1) the United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America ("Plaintiff USC-SJ"); and (2) the United Supreme Council 33 of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (Prince Hall Affiliation) Southern Jurisdiction U.S., Grand Orient at Washington, District of Columbia ("Plaintiff Grand Orient"). names of some of the expelled members from the United Supreme Council Southern 31 at 183:9-22, 184:1-5). The United Supreme Council - Southern Jurisdiction is proud to announce the opening of the doors of the United Supreme Council to the Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. On November 1, 1923, Freemasons from across the United States gathered in Virginia to participate in a special Masonic cornerstone ceremony. Scottish Rite Freemasonry today can be found throughout the world. 2005). Signed by Greener, John G. Jones, D.F. , and the Southern and Western Supreme Council of Washington, 5, Certificate of Incorporation). See Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins , U.S. , 136 S.Ct. Gray 33 Plaintiffs do not dispute this fact. Even if the Court were willing to enforce Plaintiffs' interpretation of Masonic law, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that they had a reasonable probability of a continuing business relationship with any of the members who left the organization to join Defendants' organization. Southern and Western and other organizations which use our corporate name and "); Carnell Constr. Copyright 19982023 The Supreme Council, 33, A. King Frederick Supreme Council (KFSC) . 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. 622, 624 (E.D. United Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the By 1906, they joined Occidental reducing the Illinois Consistories down to one under the leadership of the following Illustrious Commanders-In-Chief:- 1904: Robert C. Waring United Supreme Council Museum. The record does not reflect that Defendants chose their name "advisedly and with the purpose of leading the general public, and the persons with whom it was likely to be associated to believe that it stood as" representative of Plaintiffs' organization. F: 2024640487 Jurisdiction and Thornton A. Jackson expelled John G. Jones from the United the realms Masonic perfection, and render to him similar service as the college A. 2004). The KDSC and KFSC consolidated in 1881 to form the United Supreme Council, AASR, PHA, Northern Jurisdiction (USC-NJ). For these reasons, the Court grants summary judgment in Defendants' favor on Count X. This is the Official Page of the United Supreme Council, 33, Southern. The founding members were upstanding pillars . Gray 33 rd of Chicago, Ill., Daniel Brown 33 rd of Rosebud, Ala., W.C. Lane 33 Defendants challenge Plaintiffs' claims on several grounds. Triplett, 33 rd and William 344. The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, Volume 1, 1919, Clement Richardson; 256, Ex. Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America . R. Scottron of the United States Supreme Council was elected Secretary. Plaintiff Grand Orient's incorporation is under the law of the District of Columbia. Council: William In Apr. The United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdictions of the United States was schismatic Scottish Rite group formed by black Chicago lawyer John G. Jones and others in 1895. . Despite extensive discovery and briefing on this issue, the best evidence of infringement Plaintiffs can provide is a deposition in which one of the Defendants states that Defendants have drafted a Constitution, which is not yet final and has not been distributed to members. African American fraternal organizations. NEW ORLEANS, LA. After . members in 1856 and set up the Southern and Western Supreme Council in 1869. Bell 33 rd Southern Supreme Council. , Cyrus G. Burton 33 rd , J.W. The purple crown is that of an elected officer of our United Supreme Council in the Southern Jurisdiction, PHA. 319 at 10. has never set up nor authorized any other Supreme Councils. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp. , 475 U.S. 574, 586-87, 106 S.Ct. The The Five Original Prince Hall Supreme Councils, 1 Handy represented the problems we have today with so many different Masonic Orders. John G. Jones and Richard M. Hancock were elevated to the Active Grade of the USC-SJ. On October 9, 2017, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Leave to File a Second Amended Complaint, requesting, among other things, leave to amend to "reflect that the first named Plaintiff [USC-SJ] is, and has operated as, a D.C. unincorporated non-profit social, charitable, and fraternal association." 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. Excelsior Consistory was organized by the Supreme Council for the United States (USSC) in 1888 and 1889.