GREENEVILLE, TENN. (CN) - Parents whose son was killed in Iraq demand $10 million from Dan Fraser and Lifeweaver, for selling "anti-war" T-shirts that use their son's name without permission, which the late Brandon Read's parents say is illegal in Arizona, where the defendants operate.
Brandon Michael Read was killed by an IED in Iraq on Sept. 6, 2004, while on active duty. He was 21.
His mother, Robin Read, says she learned in September 2007 that Fraser and his company "were selling, for profit, 'anti-war T-shirts' with the names of all the thousands of American service members killed in Iraq, including plaintiffs' decedent. Defendants, jointly and severally, continue to do so despite the fact that, on May 24, 2007, the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, signed a law making it illegal to utilize the names of those killed in the service of our country in the recent Iraq war without their families' permission."
The complaint adds: "(W)hile defendant, Fraser, state that he has given between $3,000 and $4,000 to as of yet unnamed charitable organizations in the memory of all of our brave soldiers who were killed in Iraq, it is shown to the Court that not one cent has gone directly to any of the families whose children were killed in the service of their country in Iraq, including plaintiffs."
The Reads demand punitive damages for outrage and emotional distress. They are represented by Francis Santore Jr.
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