Outside the Beltway

SPIKE SPIKED

· Saturday, June 14, 2003 · 2 comments

WaPo reports that a judge has actually issued an injunction against “The New TNN” changing its name to “Spike TV” Monday in response to a suit by filmmaker Shelton “Spike” Lee that the name “Spike” infringes on his nickname. I can’t decide what’s more idiotic:

  • The idea that a word in ordinary use can somehow be copyrighted because some yahoo adopts it as a nickname;
  • A judge who buys off on this idea; or
  • TNN trying to start “a network for men” by changing its name to one that has homosexual connotations.
    • FILED UNDER: Law and the Courts, ,
    James Joyner
    About James Joyner
    James Joyner is a Professor of Security Studies. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

    Comments

    1. bryan says:
      Saturday, 14 June 2003 at

      You forgot to mention a guy named “Shelton” adopting the name “Spike,” especially as puny as Lee is.

    2. DANEgerus says:
      Saturday, 14 June 2003 at

      The NFL is next… no more ‘Spiking’ the ball without royalties to the king of the world

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