Spike Lee suing Viacom over SpikeTV

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

NEW YORK - Filmmaker Spike Lee has sued Viacom Inc. over plans to rename its TNN cable channel Spike TV as part of its campaign to attract male viewers.

 

In court papers filed Tuesday, Lee asked for an injunction against Viacom's use of the name, saying he had never given his consent for it to be used.

 

"The media description of this change of name, as well as comments made to me and my wife, confirmed what was obvious — that Spike TV referred to Spike Lee," Lee said in court papers.

 

The judge directed Viacom to explain why it shouldn't be barred from using the name.

 

TNN, which bills Spike TV as "the first network for men," said it was "confident that the court will reject any legal claims by Mr. Lee to the popular word and name Spike."

 

Viacom bought TNN in 2000, and said in April that it would change the channel's name to Spike TV on June 16 in an attempt to increase the number of men in an audience that is already about two-thirds male. It said on Tuesday that it was confident the court would reject Lee's claims to the name Spike.

 

Viacom also owns CBS, Showtime movie channel, VH1, UPN, book publisher Simon & Schuster and other properties.

 

According to Lee, TNN's president, Albie Hecht, has said the public associates the name 'Spike' with Lee.

 

Lee, whose given name is Shelton Jackson Lee, included in court papers affidavits from people including former Sen. Bill Bradley and actors Ossie Davis and Ed Norton. The affidavits said the signers had thought of Lee when they heard about Spike TV and some said they believed he had become affiliated with the network.

 

Lee directed Nike sneaker commercials with Michael Jordan. His movies include "Malcolm X," "Jungle Fever" and "Do the Right Thing."

 

I don't get it. When I hear the word spike, I think of volleyball, railroad tracks, Spike from Buffy and a sharp rise in something. Spike Lee never even came to mind at all up until this article came to my attention. Would be funny if Viacom spends all this money on the name change and has to spend more money to change it to something else.

 

I never liked the name SpikeTV anyway, but Im sure this will get thrown out so it really is nothing more than mildly amusing news at 1 am.

[Guest Choken One]

Lee is desperate for attention...His movies have been bombing worse then his Knicks...

 

Although the SECOND Lee is rejected rightfully...Jesse Jackson is going to step in...

 

and Viacom will send Booker T for damage control...

[Guest the pinjockey]

"Lee, whose given name is Shelton Jackson Lee, included in court papers affidavits from people including former Sen. Bill Bradley and actors Ossie Davis and Ed Norton. The affidavits said the signers had thought of Lee when they heard about Spike TV and some said they believed he had become affiliated with the network. "

 

So exactly how many people have to be retarded for a case like this not to be thrown out? A 1000? Or just a few famous people is all you need?

 

I am just waiting for the creators of the movie FX to sue the FX channel now and all psychics to sue ESPN since when I think of ESPN the first thing that comes into my mind is the ESP that psychics have.

[Guest godthedog]

Lee is desperate for attention...His movies have been bombing worse then his Knicks...

Business Data for Original Kings of Comedy, The

 

Budget

$3,000,000 (USA)

 

Gross

$38,168,022 (USA)

just thought i'd point that out.

 

and i hardly think he'd be desperate for attention after the oodles of press he got for 'bamboozled'.

 

not that i disagree over his being a natural media whore, or that the lawsuit is an act of supreme egotism. but if he specifically wanted the attention there's much better people to pick a fight with than a crappy cable network.

Edited June 4, 2003 by godthedog

[Guest Mole]

That is just about the only movie he made that did okay. $38 million isn't even that much, granted the budget was low, but he didn't have to do much directing for it. It is a lot easier to direct a comedy show than a movie.

 

Anyway, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Spike Lee doesn't own the name Spike, so why can he sue? That would be like me suing the electronic company Craig for using my name.

[Guest Big McLargeHuge]

Lee is desperate for attention...His movies have been bombing worse then his Knicks...

Business Data for Original Kings of Comedy, The

 

Budget

$3,000,000 (USA)

 

Gross

$38,168,022 (USA)

just thought i'd point that out.

 

and i hardly think he'd be desperate for attention after the oodles of press he got for 'bamboozled'.

 

not that i disagree over his being a natural media whore, or that the lawsuit is an act of supreme egotism. but if he specifically wanted the attention there's much better people to pick a fight with than a crappy cable network.

Yeah, but Kings of Comedy was hardly sold on Spike Lee directing.

 

Just saying.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

Litigation in America kills me.

 

I still don't understand why WWF changed its name. How can someone claim sole ownership of letters of the fucking alphabet?

 

And Spike Lee is stupid if he thinks that people associate a channel that used to show bull riding competitions with his skinny black ass. Gimme a break.

[Guest Mole]

I still don't understand why WWF changed its name.  How can someone claim sole ownership of letters of the fucking alphabet? 

Blame the UK for that one. I can't remember the details, but it has something to do with the WWE breaking its contract with the Pandas over the use of the letters WWF worldwide.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Blame the UK for that one. I can't remember the details, but it has something to do with the WWE breaking its contract with the Pandas over the use of the letters WWF worldwide.

 

Fuck blaming us, blame Vince's dumb ass. He had his own people write up an agreement with the Fund stating that the Fed may only use the initials and logo in certain ways. Then the stupid bastard went and contravened HIS OWN AGREEMENT which he had WRITTEN UP HIMSELF - use of the initials on the internet was a big part of the problem.

 

Yes, it's totally stupid of the Fund to go claiming that the Fed's use of the initials caused market confusion and yes, I hate them for causing the name change, but it was even more stupid of Vince for writing them a piece of paper that said "if we do this, we are creating market confusion and you can sue us and stop us using the initials."

 

Interestingly, it shows how important the international - and primarily UK - market is to Vince, because the only place he legally can't call his company the "WWF" is in the United Kingdom. Really, the company could still be called that today everywhere else on the planet, and simply spelled out "World Wrestling Federation" in full whenever the brand is referred to over here. But you can kind of understand the thinking - whenever Vince fucks up like he's doing now, it's basically the UK and other foreign markets that keep his sorry ass afloat when the US fans won't buy his crap.

[Guest Mole]

My bad DVD Spree, I meant to say blame UK courts for letting the lawsuit go through, thats all.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Wait....

 

even IF people thought that Spike Lee was somehow involved with Spike TV...how exactly does that hurt Spike Lee?

 

Any of his fans are going to know that he isn't involved...and the moment that the redneck wrestling and slamball comes on...shouldn't it be obvious?

[Guest El Satanico]

If it stops this name change, then I say more power to Spike Lee.

 

 

Don't blame the Uk, the UK courts or the World Wildlife Fund. Blame no one except Vincent Kennedy McMahon himself.

[Guest godthedog]

That is just about the only movie he made that did okay. $38 million isn't even that much, granted the budget was low, but he didn't have to do much directing for it. It is a lot easier to direct a comedy show than a movie.

 

Anyway, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Spike Lee doesn't own the name Spike, so why can he sue? That would be like me suing the electronic company Craig for using my name.

i wasn't saying it was an enormous hit, i was just trying to prove all his movies haven't been "bombing like his knicks."

[Guest RenegadeX28]

Dear god! This lawsuit is worse than the McDonalds one....

[Mecha Mummy 0]

When I hear "Spike", I think of James Marsters and Spike Dudley. Then I think of railroad tracks. THEN I think of Spike Lee.

 

Spike, man, give it up.

[Guest Mattdotcom]

I'm gonna go meet a guy named Turner so I can sue Billionaire Ted. Don't tell me I can't now.

[Guest Miss Indy Queen]

It almost seems like Spike Lee is doing this just for attention. I was listening to Howard Stern this morning and he even said this lawsuit is ridiculous. I mean I'm not crazy about the name "Spike TV", however I didn't think of Spike Lee when I first heard it. It's all for publicity and having Johnny Cochran as his attorney for this case is just funny.

[Guest Mole]

That is just about the only movie he made that did okay. $38 million isn't even that much, granted the budget was low, but he didn't have to do much directing for it. It is a lot easier to direct a comedy show than a movie.

 

Anyway, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Spike Lee doesn't own the name Spike, so why can he sue? That would be like me suing the electronic company Craig for using my name.

i wasn't saying it was an enormous hit, i was just trying to prove all his movies haven't been "bombing like his knicks."

Oh okay.

[Guest El Satanico]

heh...i can just see it

Spike Lee and Johnny Cochran are talking to each other on the phone.

 

Spike Lee: "So you see Johnny, Last night I had nothing to do so I was sitting at home watching Dallas on TNN"

Johnny Cochran: "Isn't that the Redneck Channel?"

Spike Lee: "I know, but I just love Dallas so what can I do?"

Johnny Cochran: "Alright if you say so..."

Spike Lee: "Screw you Cochran...as I was saying I was watching Dallas on TNN when a commercial came on announcing that TNN will now become SpikeTV"

Johnny Cochran: "Damn that's an awful name, but what's your point?"

Spike Lee: "Come on Cochran...SpikeTV...I'm Spike Lee"

Johnny Cochran: "What...no I don't follow"

Spike Lee: "Damnit Cochran...the new name for TNN is SpikeTV and Spike is my name...so TNN is using my name"

Johnny Cochran: "So what's the big deal? Are you telling me you want to SUE TNN over the new name?"

Spike Lee: "Yeah man, I'm kinda bored and I was thinking about suing Viacom for shits and giggles"

Johnny Cochran: "You're out of your mind"

Spike Lee: "Perhaps, but think of the fun we could have with this lawsuit and at worse it will get us some publicity, which I've noticed you've been short on lately"

[Guest DVD Spree]

My bad DVD Spree, I meant to say blame UK courts for letting the lawsuit go through, thats all.

 

No dude, I wasn't blasting you - just my colourful way of putting things.

[Gert T 0]

If it stops this name change, then I say more power to Spike Lee.

 

 

Don't blame the Uk, the UK courts or the World Wildlife Fund. Blame no one except Vincent Kennedy McMahon himself.

No shit, I am amazed that some dumbass in the Viacom marketing department is getting a fat bonus on what will easily be the dumbest name ever!

[Guest mach7]

Aside from it being a dumb name for a TV station... Spike Lee is as equally dumb for trying to sue over something as lame as this. Lee seriously needs to get over himself if he thinks that he's the first thing that pops into peoples mind whenever they hear/see the word "Spike."

 

Loser.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

DVD Spree: you have one of the best sigs I have ever seen!

 

"Show me the Dim Mak"

 

Anyway, Spike Lee is a loser who is just trying to get his name in the headlines. I never even thought about him when I heard that TNN is going to be Spike TV. If anything, I just thought that it was a stupid name. I guess he needs some $$$ to pay for his courtside season tix to watch the Knicks lose.

[Guest El Satanico]

Well It seems that I'm still the only one that "gets it".

 

Spike Lee was simply bored so he decided to do this for shits and giggles. He has a strange sense of humor, but I can appreciate it.

[Guest DVD Spree]

DVD Spree: you have one of the best sigs I have ever seen!

 

"Show me the Dim Mak"

 

What the hell is a Dim Mak?

[Yuna_Firerose 0]

The lawsuit itself is silly.... but, sad to say, it gets worse.

 

Director Spike Lee filed suit against Viacom over its decision to rename cable channel TNN to "Spike TV" in an effort to signal a shift towards male oriented programming. Lee stated in court documents, "The media description of this change of name, as well as comments made to me and my wife, confirmed what was obvious — that Spike TV referred to Spike Lee." Edward Norton, former Sen. Bill Bradley, and actor Ossie Davis are a few of the people who supplied affidavits where they indicated that the name "Spike TV" made them think of Spike Lee and some believed after hearing the name that Lee had become involved with the network.

You can also view EN's affidavit here

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

I think it's hilarious, and I honestly hope that he somehow wins. It would be possibly the funniest court ruling in eons.