The Black Water hitmakers trademarked "Doobie Brothers" and "Doobies" for musical performances in 1982 and the lawsuit, which was filed by bosses at Doobie Brothers Corp. and Doobro Entertainment, argues Jason Crosby and Roger MCNamee's band name, Doobie Decibel System, is "confusingly similar".

They also see the group as a "direct competitor" because they perform many of the same songs from the peak of The Doobie Brothers' fame in the 1970s.

The cover band was formed less than a year ago, but Crosby and MCNamee have worked with stars Robert Randolph, Bob Weir, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and Bono in their musical and professional ventures.

According to Billboard.com, the lawsuit states the name is deceiving because it is "highly phonetically and visually similar" and shows a "wilful intent to trade on the fame and reputation, or to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive consumers".

The Doobie Brothers are requesting for the cover band to stop using the name immediately.

They are also seeking punitive damages for trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition and an accounting of all earnings.