Ex-Mary Jane Girls -- Sued By Ghost Of Rick James

1980s girl group Mary Jane Girls should be as dead as the Walkman ... but 2 ex-members have resuscitated their careers, much to the chagrin of Rick James' Estate, which has now sued the chicks.

Here's the problemo. Kimberly "Maxi" Wuletich and Cheri "Candy" Wells-Chez have been hitting the circuit recently, performing as the Mary Jane Girls at small venues. As you know ... Rick founded the group and now, the people managing Rick's Estate claim when the group broke up Rick kept the name and the music for himself.

James' Estate wants a judge to stop the music ... STAT. What's more, the Estate wants all the profits the girls made from their appearances.