Yoko should just go back to being a recluse

[Galahad]

By Roger Friedman of Fox:

John Lennon: Yoko's Cash-In Continues

All right, this is for hard even for yours truly to believe, but here goes.

It looks as if Yoko Ono has licensed a John Lennon action figure that will be sold, I don't know, in stores of some kind. Parts of it may be referred to as the Plastic Lennon Hand (get it, Plastic Ono Band?)

Ono is clearly out to prove that there's nothing you can sell that can't be sold.

Yes, it's been only a week since the 25th anniversary of Lennon's murder. I did in fact write a hopeful piece about Ono last week. All I was saying was, give peace a chance.

But there's no limit to bad taste, and here we go again. You can actually see this thing at http://necaonline.com/lennonnews1.html.

National Entertainment Collectibles Association is the company with the license, and they've got a picture of the 18-inch plastic Lennon. They say it will talk, speaking "John Lennon" phrases. They also say it will be known as "The New York Years" Lennon.

NECA says this is the first ever licensed Lennon figure ever. That's quite a distinction. There is a line of "Yellow Submarine" pose-able figures, but those are of Lennon and the other Beatles in character from the animated film. This is actually one of Lennon, with all profits going to Ono.

So the question is: How much money does this woman need?

And, a better question, whatever happened to her Spirit Foundation? There's no listing for it among U.S. charities at www.guidestar.org. And last, what will the plastic Lennon say when you push his buttons? "Ah! Bowakawa, pousse, pousse"?

Bleh!

 

[cardaway]

There is a demand from fans for stuff with Lennon's likeness and name. Should Yoko allow it to happen or not?

I agree some of the stuff is distastefull, but not everybody agrees on what that would be.

I think she would be ripped for not allowing items as well.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I really don't think there will be that much of a demand. I can't see people my parents age buying action figures of John Lennon. That said, i've never felt Yoko was capitalizng on much of anything.

 

[ducklite]

However she also allowed the use of his/her coywrited image for a new tag in Florida--proceeds go to the food bank--we got one for the Prius.

Anne

 

[Blondie]

I was never a big fan of Yoko! I remember when she was upset because there was going to be a cereal called "Strawberry Fields."

The cereal is still on the shelves, so I guess her plan to stop the use of the name fell flat.

 

[tar heel]

So does this mean those Beatle dolls my teenage cousins had were not licensed? They definitely had a John one.

Can a Yoko doll be far behind?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Can a Yoko doll be far behind?

Please spare us!

 

[ilovepcot]

I really don't think there will be that much of a demand. I can't see people my parents age buying action figures of John Lennon. That said, i've never felt Yoko was capitalizng on much of anything.

No doubt, I'm in that category and I feel you're right! DH and I couldn't be *given* an action figure!!!!!!! And I have to say, MANY of his fans who "identified" with him 25 years ago just don't any longer. We were given opportunity to grow up...he wasn't. Ideas certainly change with 25 years of life's experiences behind you. (And lack of drugs!)

 

[Galahad]

And I have to say, MANY of his fans who "identified" with him 25 years ago just don't any longer. We were given opportunity to grow up...he wasn't.

Bingo! Give that woman a cigar (or the rough equivalent thereof)

 

[Galahad]

Alas - the "Sue me, Sue You Blues continues"

Dec 16, 10:48 AM EST

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr sue EMI





LONDON (AP) -- Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and relatives of their Beatles' bandmates are suing EMI to recover what they claim is more than $53 million in unpaid royalties, their company said Friday.

McCartney, Starr and relatives of John Lennon and George Harrison are pursuing the case both in New York and London.

"We have tried to reach a settlement through good faith negotiations and regret that our efforts have been in vain," said Neil Aspinall, who heads Apple Corps Ltd.

"Despite very clear provisions in our contracts, EMI persists in ignoring their obligations and duty to account fairly and with transparency," Aspinall said.





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EMI declined to comment on the case.

Anybody know the status of the Beatles' suit against Apple Computers? I'd run out a buy an Ipod in a flash if Paul, Richy, Yoko and Olivia got a cut!

 

[cardaway]

Anybody know the status of the Beatles' suit against Apple Computers? I'd run out a buy an Ipod in a flash if Paul, Richy, Yoko and Olivia got a cut!

What was that about?

iTunes doesn't have the Beatles, and as somebody who only wants only a few more of their songs, I wish they did.

 

[Galahad]

What was that about?

iTunes doesn't have the Beatles, and as somebody who only wants only a few more of their songs, I wish they did.

20+ years ago Apple Corps (the Beatles) successfully sued Apple computers for copy write infringement. Part of the settlement (which was mostly NOT financial) stipulated that Apple Computers could not use the Apple name for anything related to music - reserving the use of the "Apple" copywriter for musical content to Apple Corps. Apple Corps filed another suit with the advent of the Ipod, citing that Apple computers were violating their agreement. It was still pending a few months ago.

Here's a story from Sept 2003:

The Beatles Sue Apple Computers Over iPod, iTunes

The inevitable has happened: The Beatles have sued Steve Jobs over Apple iTunes and the Apple iPod -- at least the band's company, Apple Corps., has sued Apple Computers.

The case was apparently filed a short time ago in London's High Court of Justice, but was just served on Apple Computers in California in the last couple of days. Although details from the court papers aren't yet available, the gist of the breach of contract suit is as follows.

When Apple Computers first came into existence, the Beatles' lawyers sued -- and won -- over the use of the corporate name. The Fab Four, it was widely known, already had their own company called Apple Corps. (Ironically, Jobs admitted to naming his company as a tribute to the Beatles.) The result of the suit was a huge cash settlement and a promise that the Apple logo and name would only be used for computers -- and never for a music company.

Several years later, when computers starting having music come through attachable speakers, the Beatles again sued and won, this time over breach of a trademark agreement since Apple Computers had agreed to steer clear of the music business. Their winnings against Apple Computers have come to an estimated $50 million so far.

When Jobs announced the iPod portable music player and companion music site iTunes, this column was the first to mention that the computer company could be in serious violation of its agreement with the Beatles. Now it appears that the Beatles' lawyers, Eversheds of London, are in agreement.

"When it first happened with the iPod, we said, "What could they be thinking?" said a Beatles legal insider, who agreed that posters announcing the iPod from "AppleMusic" were among the most egregious violations. "They knew we had the agreement, and that we'd won a lot of money from them already."

A call by this column to Apple Computers' legal counsel, Nancy Heinen, was refused this afternoon. But my Beatles source said, "It's OK with us if they want to go this route. It's just more money for us."

 

[N.Bailey]

Well, I'm absolutely no fan of Lennon's and even less a fan of Yoko's, but I believe 100% in a capitalistic society, so I can't complain about this at all. If there is a market for it, I wish her well. However, I'm definitely no part of that market.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Well, I'm absolutely no fan of Lennon's and even less a fan of Yoko's, but I believe 100% in a capitalistic society, so I can't complain about this at all. If there is a market for it, I wish her well. However, I'm definitely no part of that market.

I'd have to agree. Never been a Beatles fan and certainly not a fan of Yoko.

 

[Deb in IA]

We've always felt that Yoko was talentless herself, and has pretty successfully exploited her only claim to fame -- her long dead husband.

I'm not surprised that she should want to come out with a new John Lennon gimmick. No doubt, she's seen the recent reports and increased media attention regarding the 25th anniversary of his death.



And I always wonder what the OTHER wife and son are thinking about all this . . . Cynthia Lennon, John's first wife, and their son, Julian.

 

[Planogirl]

Collectors will jump on this. It's not clear who's making the Lennon figure (hopefully McFarlane) but there's plenty of collectors out there that will want this just as they wanted the Jerry Garcia figure. Actually, several rock stars and the like have been offered over the years so I don't see why Lennon would be any different.

 

[caitycaity]

And last, what will the plastic Lennon say when you push his buttons? "Ah! Bowakawa, pousse, pousse"?

though i personally won't be buying it, i'm sure someone will buy it for me (unfortunately). everyone knows i'm a huge john lennon fan (i even have a tattoo of him).