stephen,
Hi,
I know nothing of the case except it is an olde one and has to do with the fact that both taught similar symbols but with different meanings and there was dispute over authenticity. IO also know that apeals are almost certain in any civil case of this sort so perhaps this judgement is not a fianl one. I do not know. As for Rand's lineage? I have no idea andf really no interest except if his claims are exaggerated. Does his website or do any of his books, etc state from whom he received his Reiki training and by whom he was attuned? I cannot imagine that he could make any legal claims to being the instigator of Reiki in the West, or whatever, unless he were to provide that information.
But, in general, I have little more than passing interest in who brought what to the West. What every claimant seems to have done in one way or another is to have Westernized (which to some extent = christianized) the teaching and hence the practice of Reiki.
Bronx Cheers to all who attempt to feed their egos through Reiki and in so doing sell it like any other commodity.
RC