A church based in Oregon filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in Chicago against the World Church of the Creator, led by white supremacist Matthew Hale of Downstate East Peoria.
The suit by TE-TA-MA Truth Foundation, more commonly known as Church of the Creator, said the similar names and trademarks have left the mistaken impression that their church endorses Hale's racist messages.
The church, which is headquartered in Ashland, Ore., and has ministries in 20 states, though not in Illinois, said it has used the name since at least 1982. But Hale, in a telephone interview, said a predecessor started his church in 1972.
"I think it's ridiculous," Hale said of the lawsuit. "There are only so many names you can have for a church."
The church in Oregon couldn't be reached for comment.