Spike Lee vs. Spike TV

[Rock'n Robin]

Is it just me or is this ridiculous? Spike Lee sues TNN so they can't change their name to Spike TV? When I hear the name Spike I think of the dog in Rugrats!
He says people like Bill Bradley and Edward Norton both thought he was associated with it when they heard of it. Are they stupid too? Would they really think Spike Lee would be working with a channel consisting of Baywatch reruns, pro wrestling and "adult-friendly" cartoons? (That phrase is from the E! online site).
A judge has granted him an injunction so TNN has to put off changing their name. I think Mr. Lee needs to stop thinking he's so important and influential! I haven't seen a Spike Lee movie since the one with the riots! (name escapes me)
Robin M.

 

[TLinden16]

I've been shaking my head over this one for a week. It is just another example of a totally frivolous and ridiculous lawsuit! I have worked for law firms for eight years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how incredibly ridiculous some lawsuits are!

I don't see how he can win this thing. As TNN is saying, Spike is a very common nickname. Unless he has a copyright or trademark on the word Spike, I don't think he has any claim on the name (I'll have to ask the trademark guy at the law firm I'm working at what he thinks about this). The only thing he may be able to win this thing is if he can prove that TNN chose that name to bank people associating it with him, but I don't think he'll be able to do that. The real question is how big can one man's ego be?

The Beach Club uses Spike seasoning in their roast beef hash. Is his next lawsuit going to be against that seasoning company?

I'll be really disappointed if he wins this thing. But if he does win, all of you aspiring television network execs out there better not try to start a Karen TV network or I'll be forced to sue you!

Karen

 

[alabamaalan]

I had not heard this. How ridiculous.

You mean it isn't named for Fonzie's cousin?

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I can't believe this one either. Not that TNN is my kinda channel, but really -- they've been advertising it for quite some time (it's supposed to be implemented next week and now they can't). They're supposed to pull advertising for it too (but I still see the little "Spike TV coming June 16" at the bottom of the screen).

When I think Spike, I think of the Elvis Costello album.

Or what you might do with a volleyball.

This is just totally ridiculous.

 

[TLinden16]

I asked the trademark attorney at my office what he thought of it, and he said he thought it was the egomaniacal thing. He also pointed out that for every person like Spike Lee, there is an attorney who thinks he can win the case! The attorney in the office doesn't think Spike Lee has a chance of winning it.

When I think about it, though, what a publicity stunt for Spike Lee. I mean, it's getting him in the papers, and magazines. I don't know how much work he has an attorney doing on this, but if he is using this for publicity, well, he's getting an awful lot of free press for his attorney's billable hours (I can't imagine his attorney has billed more than $5000 or $10000 on this--a lot less than exposure would cost him in People, Entertainment Weekley, CNN, and other news outlets).

Maybe Spike Lee is smarter than we're giving him credit for.

And he'll probably be watching Stripperella when it comes out too.

Karen