Ronald I... | The Isley Brothersвђ™ Rudolph Isley Sues

: He maintained that since the death of their brother O'Kelly in 1986, he and Ronald were equal 50/50 owners of the group's intellectual property. Although he retired from performing in 1989, he claimed he remained active in managing and promoting the brand.

The legal battle between and Ronald Isley centered on the ownership of "The Isley Brothers" trademark, which Rudolph claimed was a jointly owned asset of their partnership. Case Details The Isley Brothers’ Rudolph Isley Sues Ronald I...

: In August 2023, a federal judge refused to dismiss the case , allowing it to proceed toward a trial. Current Status : He maintained that since the death of

: In March 2023, Rudolph sued Ronald after discovering Ronald had applied for exclusive rights to the band's name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2021. Case Details : In August 2023, a federal

The litigation was significantly impacted by at age 84 in October 2023. As of late 2025, it remained unclear whether his heirs or estate would continue to pursue the 50% share of proceeds derived from the trademark. Isley Brothers Headed For Long Battle Over Band Name Rights