CHICAGO, Feb. 24.—(AP)—The Lone Ranger rode right into Federal Judge William J. Campbell’s courtroom today, figuratively speaking.
The mythical hero of millions of youngsters was represented by Atty. Raymond J. (Hi Yo, Silver!) Meurer who demanded and obtained a temporary order restraining a competitor from using the Ranger’s name.
The suit by Lone Ranger, Inc., Detroit, alleged that Sunbrock Shows, Inc., which will present a rodeo here Saturday, advertised with “fraud and misrepresentation” that the Lone Ranger would appear. It also asserted Sunbrock infringed on a copyright of the Lone Ranger’s name and familiar ‘Hi Yo, Silver, Away!”
Meurer’s suit alleged that an original idea conceived in 1933 by George W. Trendle of Detroit had been exploited at a cost of $1,000,000 via the radio, movies and comic strips and that 4,000,000 youngsters were members of Lone Ranger clubs.
The suit also asked $250,000 damages from Sunbrock Shows, Inc., its owners, Larry Sunbrock and William E. Baker, and perormers. Judge Campbell, with hoofbeats seemingly echoing in the courtroom, set a further hearing for tomorrow.