Jerry Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty University for Allegedly Exploiting His Father’s Name, Image

According to The Christian Post, Liberty University has not responded to requests for comment but said in a statement that the college “will ultimately prevail in this case, and the university will be able to maintain its use of the name of its founder.”

The lawsuit says Liberty University has been exploiting the brand for itself, including the senior Falwell’s handwriting.

“For more than fifty years, the distinctive JERRY FALWELL trademark has stood as a nationally recognizable symbol for the late Dr. Jerry L. Falwell’s brand of religious goods and services. Upon his passing in 2007, Dr. Falwell left his valuable JERRY FALWELL trademark in a trust for the benefit of his three children. Liberty, however, has recently begun to misappropriate the Trust’s valuable trademark – and Dr. Falwell’s name and image – for itself,” the lawsuit alleges.

The suit adds that the school did not consult the Falwell family about using Falwell’s name and likeness.

Three years ago, Falwell Jr. was forced to resign as the president of Liberty University after allegations surfaced that he and his wife had an affair with 29-year-old Giancarlo Granda.

Granda allegedly tried to blackmail the couple, saying that Falwell Jr. knew about his wife’s affair.

Falwell Jr. has previously sued the university, saying he is owed $8.5 million in retirement funds. In a previous statement, Liberty University said it is confident it is “not legally required to pay these funds and will file the appropriate responses with the federal court.”

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Staff

Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.