Parks Wins Again

Don't mess with Rosa Parks.

The civil rights pioneer who helped to launch the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1956 has won another long, drawn-out, legal struggle. Not for equal rights this time though. For the right to keep her name out any songs by OutKast.

The hip-hop group, along with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and two of the company's units settled with representatives of Parks on a suit dating back to 1999 that alleged defamation and trademark infringement due OutKast's use of Parks' name.

The song, titled "Rosa Park," has the chorus, "Ah-ha, hush that fuss. Everybody move to the back of the bus."

Parks, who has suffered from dementia since at least 2002, was represented by Dennis Archer, the former Mayor of Detroit. Some of her relatives have questioned the lawyers who filed the suit and even accused them of exploitation, arguing that she would not object to the use of her name in the song.

As part of the settlement the group's label, Sony, will produce a tribute CD to mark the 50th anniversary of Parks' protest and broadcast a television special about Parks and her role in the civil rights struggle. An unspecified payment will also ensure that the needs of the 92-year-old will be met for the rest of her life. Additionally, Sony and two of its subsidiary labels will pay for several educational programs about the civil rights struggle. Under the terms of the settlement OutKast accepted no wrongdoing.