Mediation fails in 'likeness' suit

TrueNorth Academy said Thursday that mediation efforts in a $15 million lawsuit against InvesTools have collapsed.

Outsourced services company TrueNorth and InvesTools co-founder Ross W. Jardine sued InvesTools last year, claiming that it used Jardine's name and images inappropriately in educational products in violation of an agreement between Jardine and InvesTools.

TrueNorth, also co-founded by Jardine, says it holds the current exclusive license for Jardine's "personality rights."

The suit also names Peter Lowe International Inc.; McGraw-Hill Cos Inc.; NBC Universal Inc.; and Professional Support Services LC, also known as MIT Financial and Net Marketing Alliance. The suit claims those defendants had various levels of involvement with InvesTools during the period of alleged unauthorized use of Jardine's name, image, voice and likeness.