WWJD Lawsuit Dismissed with Prejudice
by Staff
July 29, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., (christiansunite.com) -- A federal class action lawsuit against Bullseye Collection Agency (Bullseye), which challenged Bullseye's "WWJD" business motto, has now been dismissed with prejudice. The Plaintiffs in that suit, Mark and Sara Neill, claimed they were harassed and oppressed when they received a collection letter from Bullseye that contained the same "WWJD" motto that Bullseye includes on all of its business communications. Of course, far from being oppressive, WWJD is an acronym that sometimes means "What Would Jesus Do?" Bullseye, a small, family-owned business, uses the motto as a reminder to act with diligence and respect in an industry traditionally characterized by ruthlessness and incivility.Instead of abandoning its motto or giving up its constitutional rights, Bullseye fought back with Liberty Counsel's assistance. Bullseye argued that "WWJD" is not oppressive as a matter of law and cannot violate the law. Bullseye also argued that if any law actually prohibits the benign and courteous use of "WWJD" as a business motto, then such law is unconstitutional, because it violates Bullseye's freedom of speech, freedom of religion and equal protection rights.
In addition to vigorously defending Bullseye, Liberty Counsel also filed a comprehensive counterclaim against the Neills and another company, Bureau of Collection Recovery, LLC (BCR). Bullseye discovered that Mr. Neill was no stranger to the collection business but was the president of BCR, a giant competitor collection company with offices in the United States and India. Bullseye alleged that the Neills and BCR abused the legal process and engaged in a conspiracy to harm Bullseye competitively and to deprive Bullseye of its constitutional rights.
Upon receiving Bullseye's counterclaim, the Neills decided to abandon their frivolous crusade against Bullseye. They dismissed with prejudice each of their claims, such that they can never bring them again in any court. As a result, Bullseye remains free to use "WWJD" on its stationery, and its constitutional rights remain intact.
Horatio Mihet, Senior Litigation Counsel for Liberty Counsel, stated, "Neither the law nor the courtroom provides refuge for those wishing to harm others with their intolerance of Christian viewpoints. Christian men and women in business need not check their faith at the door of the marketplace."
