Spike Lee is an idiot, and so is Johnny Cochran..

[BurlyShirley]

Spike Lee sues TNN over rights to SPIKE TV

Read it HERE (http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/20/tv.spiketv.ap/)

WTF Man? You cant own the word "Spike".

[Tenchiro]

I have seen ads for that and thought it was a Spike Lee thing, so maybe he has a point...

[Toshi]

ahha, this is a great line:

But Lee has complained that TNN's name change would associate him with the "demeaning, vapid and quasi-pornographic content of Spike TV."

Among the network's planned fare: "Stripperella," an animated series featuring Pamela Anderson as the voice of an undercover operative who is also a stripper.
he may have a lame camera happy lawyer, but he has a point.

[Serial Midget]

I have to agree with Spike Lee. His name is pretty much a brand name that has been used to sell his image for years. It stands to reason that many people would be confused and think that Spike TV was endorsed by Spike Lee himself.

[BurlyShirley]

No!

You are all wrong!:D

Remember that dog on Tom and Jerry? What was his name?

What's a move you pull in volleyball?

If you're riding a Jr. T., you may get a Compression ______?


He wasnt even born with the name "SPIKE" for chrissakes.

[Spud]

Don’t think Spike Lee is as culturally omnipresent has peeps would have him believe. This isn’t changing the name to CokeTV. More like a radio station calling itself “The Rock”

Hey Spike, welcome to B-list celebrity world. Now sit down and shut-up.

[the law]

Originally posted by BurlySurly
No!

You are all wrong!:D

Remember that dog on Tom and Jerry? What was his name?

What's a move you pull in volleyball?

If you're riding a Jr. T., you may get a Compression ______?


He wasnt even born with the name "SPIKE" for chrissakes.

The question becomes-if you hear the name Spike TV do you associate that name with Spike Lee? I did. Given that Spike Lee is a director, his name is going to be more readily asssociated with the name of a television channel. On the other hand, I would rarely have any association of a compression spike and a television channel. Here the real argument is that a number of viewersa may tune in because they expect the Channel to have an association with Spike Lee. In other words the Channel "may" be trying to freeload on Spike Lee's fame. Similarly if you had Spielberg TV, you would probably think of the director.
Again, we have not heard the whole story. Personally I would like to hear why Viacom chose to name the station Spike TV. If it were a Volleball channel, i could understand the choice. However there is no reason to think this is the case here. Moreover, there is simply no mention of any reason for the name in the article.
Obviously, this is not a clear cut case. It never is. The argument that spike is a common place term is valid. The argument that Spike lee is known as Spike Lee and not merely Spike is also persuasive. However, given the connection between Spike Lee and the film media and the lack of any other connection between the term "Spike" and the Channel, it seems quite reasonable that Viacom is truly trying to freeload on Spike Lee. Obviosuly this could easily be a twenty page brief, but I think the suit is not as meritless as BS suggested. Whether ultimately Spike Lee will prevail is another matter. He will still have to meet a number of legal hurdles.

[Serial Midget]

I am not a fan of Spike Lee - I wouldn't sit and watch anything I thought he produced or endorsed. On the other hand I'd have no problems with Tommy Lee's cast off... Come to daddy Pammie...

[Spud]

Do our grandparents, parents and kids know who Spike Lee is?

If yes, then he's got a claim. He ain't bugs bunny, Flipper or Colonel Klink in universal name recognition.

[the law]

Add-on

Besides, in the end it will be a jury of twelve men and women who decide whether there is a risk of confusion or association between Spike Lee and Spike TV.

[the law]

Originally posted by Spud
Do our grandparents, parents and kids know who Spike Lee is?

If yes, then he's got a claim. He ain't bugs bunny, Flipper or Colonel Klink in universal name recognition.

I agree, but he may be more prominently known among the black community. Within that community there may be a risk of confusion or association. If so, that may suffice.

By the way, I am not supporting either side, all I am saying is that it may not be as clear-cut as some suggest

[Serial Midget]

Does anyone know if Pamela Anderson is still on the market? She's no spring chicken but what the hell - midgets aint picky. :monkey:

[Serial Midget]

Ummmm - Spike Lee might be bigger than you think. I know his devotees are deadly serious about his work.


Originally posted by Spud
Do our grandparents, parents and kids know who Spike Lee is?

If yes, then he's got a claim. He ain't bugs bunny, Flipper or Colonel Klink in universal name recognition.

[BurlyShirley]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Does anyone know if Pamela Anderson is still on the market? She's no spring chicken but what the hell - midgets aint picky. :monkey:

Dont you know she got the Hep?

[BurlyShirley]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Ummmm - Spike Lee might be bigger than you think. I know his devotees are deadly serious about his work.

No, he's a has been. His movies sucked anyway.

Maybe the dog from Tom and Jerry should sue spike lee, and get his name changed.

[Serial Midget]

Originally posted by BurlySurly
Dont you know she got the Hep?

Crap. :monkey: That won't wash out will it? :confused: :( :confused:

[Spud]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Ummmm - Spike Lee might be bigger than you think. I know his devotees are deadly serious about his work.

We are a small cross section of the terminally cool cultural elite, so we know him. :cool: But - The dude still ain't no Ringo Starr. He is probably bigger than Pee Wee Herman, but well short of Hulk Hogan.

[LordOpie]

Originally posted by Spud
Don’t think Spike Lee is as culturally omnipresent has peeps would have him believe. This isn’t changing the name to CokeTV. More like a radio station calling itself “The Rock”

Hey Spike, welcome to B-list celebrity world. Now sit down and shut-up.
Hell yeah mutha fvcka... I couldn't agree with you more!

Damn, I never ever think of Spike Lee without the Lee part. I think Lee jeans should sue S.Lee. They could settle it out of court with a fight between Buddy Lee and Spike Lee. That little doll will kick Spike's @ss!

Originally posted by the law
I agree, but he may be more prominently known among the black community. Within that community there may be a risk of confusion or association.
You may be right, but I somehow doubt that Spike TV is marketing that that demographic.

[Stinky Monkey]

I am sorry but anyone who would hear that TNN is changeing their name to Spike TV and think of Spike Lee, is an Idiot.

Also what about the director Spike Jones? Is Spike Lee going to sue him to??

[the law]

Originally posted by Stinky Monkey
I am sorry but anyone who would hear that TNN is changeing their name to Spike TV and think of Spike Lee, is an Idiot.

Also what about the director Spike Jones? Is Spike Lee going to sue him to??

Hmmm strong language. Are you implying the judge(s) is (are) idiots? Well maybe you should try to become appointed as a federal Judge. Good luck.

Ultimately, I think that Spike Lee has at least a valid argument. We may disagree, but is not completely outlandish. He is a celebrity, whether washed out or not. He is closely associated with the film media. On the other hand, we have not gotten any information why TNN wants the name Spike TV. Why not? Will TNN also try to change their programming to appeal to "African Americans"? We don't know about this. Given that he is known for directing films, there may be a risk of confusion. Regardless, Spike Lee cannot prevail (by law) at trial unless he presents facts evidencing a risk of confusion. Most likely he already had to show such evidence just to get the temporary injunction. Why shouldn't Spike have the right to try and protect his name? Ultimately it will be the jury, composed of people like you and me, that will make the right (hopefully) decision and that need to be persuaded there that there is a risk of confusion or prerceived association/sponsorship.

P.S. By the way it is not a question of whether people who know that TNN changed its name to Spike TV will imply an association with Spike Lee, but whether people who just read the name, f.e. in the TV Guide, think that he is involved with or sponsors Spike TV.

[Spud]

Good comments Mr. Law – I think you tried to answer this question in your P.S. statement, but it is a little fuzzy to me. What is the basis of his damage argument?

1) Viacomm intended to capitalize on his celebrity?
2) The name Spike Lee is so ingrained into the American Culture that any use of Spike may likely be considered an association with Spike Lee?
3) He has the right to protect his business enterprise action against entities using a form of his name (regardless of mass name recognition).

I had thought he was using No. 2 to establish the risk of damage – while the name is widely recognized in some communities, it is not ubiquitous.

[Stinky Monkey]

Originally posted by the law
Hmmm strong language. Are you implying the judge(s) is (are) idiots?

Yes I am. I think the song "Dominate Paradigm" by Jaya the Cat says it best:

"judge the judges & send them to the firing line
cause its those motherf*ckers who should be doing time"

[LordOpie]

what it all boils down to is simply this...

how often do you hear Spike Lee referred to as just Spike?

Me? Never. Not even once have I heard him referred to by just his first name. In fact, when i see a movie poster or review, i think, oh, another Spike Lee movie or even A Spike Like Joint Production.

He has no basis for this suit.

[Stinky Monkey]

Originally posted by LordOpie
what it all boils down to is simply this...

how often do you hear Spike Lee referred to as just Spike?

Me? Never. Not even once have I heard him referred to by just his first name. In fact, when i see a movie poster or review, i think, oh, another Spike Lee movie or even A Spike Like Joint Production.

He has no basis for this suit.

Word Homie!

[Tenchiro]

WHy do we even care, this is just the Rich & Famous waggling their dicks at each other.

[ohio]

How about the Christian Life Network chainging their name to "Madonna TV"?

I think that's funnier.

[the law]

Originally posted by Spud
Good comments Mr. Law – I think you tried to answer this question in your P.S. statement, but it is a little fuzzy to me. What is the basis of his damage argument?

1) Viacomm intended to capitalize on his celebrity?
2) The name Spike Lee is so ingrained into the American Culture that any use of Spike may likely be considered an association with Spike Lee?
3) He has the right to protect his business enterprise action against entities using a form of his name (regardless of mass name recognition).

I had thought he was using No. 2 to establish the risk of damage – while the name is widely recognized in some communities, it is not ubiquitous.

He actually has a number of claims under different NY state law as well as a unfair competition claim. In fact, I think he bases his claims (in one form or another) on all three arguments you raise.
If you want, I can send you the elements of each of these claims (pm) but not right now. I am actually pretty busy. But FYI-I read the complaint and one allegeation (if true) states that the president of TNN actually said in an interview that "the affinity with palintiff Spike Lee was one reason why defendants chose the proposed name "Spike TV". The name change is really only an attempt to boost saggin viewership by appealing to the African American viewers. I recommend reading the complaint.

[sub6]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Crap. :monkey: That won't wash out will it? :confused: :( :confused:

Dude, Kid Rock is tappin' that right now. Forget 'er....:nono: :nono:

edit - btw Striperella is on tomorrow nite at 11, i'll at least watch 'til the first commercial....

[sub6]

Originally posted by BurlySurly
No, he's a has been. His movies sucked anyway.

Maybe the dog from Tom and Jerry should sue spike lee, and get his name changed.

word.

[LordOpie]

Originally posted by the law
But FYI-I read the complaint and one allegeation (if true) states that the president of TNN actually said in an interview that "the affinity with palintiff Spike Lee was one reason why defendants chose the proposed name "Spike TV".
That's true, but the president also mentioned several other "Spikes" that have influenced him as well.

Originally posted by the law
The name change is really only an attempt to boost saggin viewership by appealing to the African American viewers.
Umm, i'm almost positive they are NOT marketing to blacks. While some may like the programming, it's heavily weighted to white, 18-35 yo guys who like stupid humor, sex, and just plain bullsh!t... I can't wait :D

[Spud]

For what it is worth. Mr. Lee apparently hasn't registered the domains spike.com or spikelee.com.

Just an observation......

[LordOpie]

Originally posted by Spud
For what it is worth. Mr. Lee apparently hasn't registered the domains spike.com or spikelee.com.

Just an observation......

oh snap!

good find :D

[pnj]

I never thought of spike lee when I saw the ads for the name change.
but then again, I don't think i've ever even seen a spike lee movie so his name is far from my mind.


but I could really care less. the tv is a pile of crap, I suggest you turn it off.

[ummbikes]

Originally posted by pnj
but I could really care less. the tv is a pile of crap, I suggest you turn it off.


True enough. The TV is good for using as a monitor for my DVD player, which is good for watching some movies. So it does serve some useful purpose.

[LordOpie]

Originally posted by pnj
Ibut I could really care less. the tv is a pile of crap, I suggest you turn it off.
are you suggesting that Beavis and Butthead is less than quality entertainment :confused: :monkey:

[pnj]

Originally posted by LordOpie
are you suggesting that Beavis and Butthead is less than quality entertainment :confused: :monkey:

well that and south park might be ok.......

:D

[Dog Welder]

Normally I hate Spike Lee but 25th Hour was a dope ass movie.

On a side note...people should know by now that the moment you hire Johnnie Cochran to defend you...every last bit of credibility you had goes out the window.

[Spud]

NEW YORK, July 7 — Spike TV won’t be getting spiked after all. Filmmaker Spike Lee and Viacom settled a dispute Monday that allows the media giant to rebrand its TNN network as Spike TV, ending a lawsuit that contended the new moniker was a deliberate attempt to hijack Lee’s image.

________________


Payday for somebody.