Two men who are on the same side of the abortion battle are headed to court against each other. Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, claims the name 'Operation Rescue' belongs to him. He has filed suit with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to regain control of the name.
"Operation Rescue is my name," says Terry. "Troy Newman is stealing my history, heritage and legacy... all of the things I have suffered for."
But Newman, the current president of Operation Rescue in Wichita, says he's suffered for the name too, and it's his.
"I have dedicated the last 18 years of my life to the pro life movement," says Newman. "You don't go to WalMart and by a trademarked name. You earn it and the trademark awarded it to us," he says.
Terry says the battle has persisted for more than three years and he's sick of playing nice. Now's the time to take the gloves off and fight this in court, he says.
For Newman, he says he's not concerned and his attorneys will handle everything. He says he's just focused on saving lives.
"Our mission is clear, we're here to save babies," Newman says. "Both of us are against the slaughter of innocent children," he says.
So if it's about saving children, many ask why Newman won't just throw in the towel and modify his moniker. Newman says that's an issue for his board.
Meanwhile, Terry is holding a press conference Thursday morning in front of the Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA.