Christianity Today.com has reported that the Imperials, a popular Christian music group that dates to the 1960s, is embroiled in a lawsuit over its name. Through some digging – including obtaining a copy of a 2005 trademark agreement – the online magazine has discovered a “complex legal battle” between group co-founder Armond Morales and a younger version of the group that includes his son, Jason Morales.

“They have set out to really put me out of business and have no connection with the Imperials, which was my life,” said Armond Morales 75. “I’ve been devastated by this.”

An attorney for the younger group predicts the case will land in court later this year. The younger Imperials said the elder Morales’ signature on the agreement means the “real” Imperials are now the four current singers. Armond Morales claims he was pressured into signing away more than he meant.

To add to the confusion, there have been at least two other groups with the name “Imperials.”

The group including the younger Morales has its version of the long and complicated history of the musicians on its Web site.