master_q 0 Posted June 14, 2003 "Filmmaker Spikes TNN Relaunch" A judge yesterday barred Viacom from renaming the TNN cable network "Spike TV" after filmmaker and television producer Spike Lee sued over infringement on the use of his name. "Contrary to defendants' position, the court is of the opinion that in the age of mass communication, a celebrity can in fact establish a vested right in the use of only their first name or a surname," wrote New York State Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub as cited by Yahoo! Entertainment. The judge cited the recognition of celebrities such as Cher and Sting by single monikers. Lee's lawyer Johnnie Cochran presented evidence that the filmmaker's fans believed he was associated with the Spike network, including affidavits from actor Edward Norton and Senator Bill Bradley. Viacom had planned a massive relaunch of TNN as Spike, billed as "the first network for men", in contrast to onetime Viacom property Lifetime and other cable stations targeted toward female viewers. The renaming of TNN, which evolved from The Nashville Network into The National Network, was scheduled to take place on June 16 and had already been launched Tuesday night at a celebration at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. The new Spike lineup was to feature entertainment likely to appeal to men, including reruns of Star Trek, CSI and Baywatch, professional wrestling, and adult cartoons like the erotic Stripperella, a character voiced by Pamela Anderson. An Emmy award winner, Lee has directed films for Paramount and was scheduled to begin filming a movie this week for the Showtime network — both Viacom holdings. However, he said, "I don't want to be associated with that Stripperella crap." Viacom sought an immediate stay of the injunction prohibiting the company's use of the name, citing other famous entertainers named Spike including musicians Spike Jones and Spike Milligan and stating that Lee does not have a trademark on the name. The judge asked that Lee post a $500,000 bond to cover Viacom's potential losses should the media giant ultimately win the suit. Viacom has owned TNN since 2000. The corporation also owns the CBS network, Star Trek production company Paramount Pictures, Pocket Books parent company Simon & Schuster and many other media and publishing ventures. --TrekToday http://www.trektoday.com/news/130603_03.shtml Related Links: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor..._celeb_eo/11973 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...v/tv_spike_tv_5 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywood...tent_id=1913479 Master Q StarTrek_Master_Q@yahoo.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cptwright 1 Posted June 14, 2003 WHAT A BUNCH OF CRAP. spike lee hasnt been a BIG NAME in the spot light for a long time, even if he was SPIKE, is just a word, a commonly used one at that, its a stereotypicaly masculine nickname, its a nail, its just a word, how can he possibly lay claim to it, thats absurd. even at that their are older STARS named spike so he really cant lay claim to it. as far as sting, and cher, they are one namers, spike lee is not. he's not billed as SPIKE, like sting or cher, so i just cant beleive the audasity to sue a network over using A name, not his name. his suit should be laughed outta court. but unfortunately it probably wont be. typical justice system today. waste our taxes on such crap.IMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdigs 0 Posted June 14, 2003 Really is kinda silly..what difference does it make? I didn't even put the two together until I heard about Lee complaing...Makes you think, there's radio stations called "Jack" and "Bob" If they were to re-name Tnn Jack or Bob woul Jack Nicholson and Bob Hope complain?! Name the network Jesse..you have my full blessing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klingonmike 0 Posted June 14, 2003 That is so stupid,Spike Lee is just trying to grab a little more of the limelight.He hasn't done anything real good in awhile and this is just his way to keep his name in the public eye. I might suggest that since the women have the Lifetime network,maybe TNN could change the name to Goodtime network for men! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose 0 Posted June 14, 2003 That is so stupid,Spike Lee is just trying to grab a little more of the limelight.He hasn't done anything real good in awhile and this is just his way to keep his name in the public eye.I might suggest that since the women have the Lifetime network,maybe TNN could change the name to Goodtime network for men! Stardate:213449.9 I agree what a crybaby geez :o :lol: :lol: :lol: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yillara Skye 1 Posted June 14, 2003 Really is kinda silly..what difference does it make? I didn't even put the two together until I heard about Lee complaing...Makes you think, there's radio stations called "Jack" and "Bob" If they were to re-name Tnn Jack or Bob woul Jack Nicholson and Bob Hope complain?! Name the network Jesse..you have my full blessing! That would be cool...Jesse tv...wait, then would Jesse James(from Monster Garage) get upset??? Who says that Spike tv, means they are refering to Spike Lee??? Maybe they mean the character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer....or even the producers pet bull dog, maybe he is renaming the tv station after his pet???? This is ridiculous.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
He Who Shall Not Be Named 2 Posted September 30, 2010 What a load of crap. It's a moot point now but only Spike Lee would assume this was about him. (And why would The Nashville Network honor a race-baiter like that?) Clearly the network was named after Spike the evil Gremlin from the first Gremlins movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
