Fox News sues Franken

[Swift Terror 0]

Michael Moore is a Big Fat Sloppy Tub of Gooey Crap

 

Just adding to the debate...

[Guest SideFXs]

O'Reilly certainly isn't the focus of the cover, though.

 

I agree with Tyler, Franken posing in the foreground, means its all about Al Franken.  I would say he is using the book as a launching pad for the anchor on WLIB, a proposed liberal radio show meant to counter the conservative tenor of today's talk radio.

 

I don't think Coulter writes her books to gather huge sums of money. I think she does it because she believes in her distorted little mind that she's unveiling the "truth" about liberals and the left.

 

Here's your only possible ulterior motive for Franken: he's using it as a basis to launch the liberal radio station.

 

 

Oh Tyler, now where did you get this idea?

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

It's not like it's any secret.

[Guest SideFXs]

I am saying that it is intellectually dishonest to state an idea, when it is not yours, not quote it, and use it as your own.

 

Since my post was written 5 days ago and you posted both before and after my post, on Aug. 13, 2003, I know that you read what I said about Franken using this book as a launching pad to get the anchor at the WLIB. I paid you a complement by quoting what you said and agreeing with it.

 

So, as to your dismissal here, all I have to say to you is, "GO EAT A BAG OF DICKS, TYLER."

 

Oh, those of you reading this post, that is not my original (idea) dismissal. Here is the poster and quote that originally gave me the idea.

 

 

Go eat a bag of dicks.

 

[BX 0]

Hoo boy. We've got a live one on our hands, folks.

 

::sarcasm present if previously undetected::

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Wow, fat jokes REALLY add to the debate!! CONGRATULATIONS, USEFUL AMERICAN!

Who said anythig about adding to the debate? I said my piece early on and now it's time for "Moore" Mikey fat jokes.

 

CONGRATULATIONS USEFUL HOWIE SHILL!...

[MrRant 0]

I would just like to say that I own Tyler.

 

 

That is all.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'd turn him in for another model, Rant...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

I am saying that it is intellectually dishonest to state an idea, when it is not yours, not quote it, and use it as your own.

 

Since my post was written 5 days ago and you posted both before and after my post, on Aug. 13, 2003, I know that you read what I said about Franken using this book as a launching pad to get the anchor at the WLIB. I paid you a complement by quoting what you said and agreeing with it.

 

So, as to your dismissal here, all I have to say to you is, "GO EAT A BAG OF DICKS, TYLER."

 

Oh, those of you reading this post, that is not my original (idea) dismissal. Here is the poster and quote that originally gave me the idea.

 

 

Go eat a bag of dicks.

 

Your thought wasn't original, either. You're not the first person with an opinion that has stated that assertation. However, if you'd like, I'll give you a cookie for being the first person to mention that angle of the argument.

 

Also, way to make an inside joke look really, really lame.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

I would just like to say that I own Tyler.

 

 

That is all.

Yeah, at least until I finish the fucking article.

 

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Wow, fat jokes REALLY add to the debate!! CONGRATULATIONS, USEFUL AMERICAN!

Who said anythig about adding to the debate? I said my piece early on and now it's time for "Moore" Mikey fat jokes.

 

CONGRATULATIONS USEFUL HOWIE SHILL!...

I wasn't really talking about you, because you at least stopped with one or two. The other moron has proceeded to go on for about five posts about it.

[BX 0]

Easy there on the multiple posts, Tyler. You're pulling a "MikeSC".

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

I know. I have a short attention span.

[MrRant 0]

I would just like to say that I own Tyler.

 

 

That is all.

Yeah, at least until I finish the fucking article.

 

Speaking of which. Get of the Dean's cock and get to writing.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Unless Fox WINS the suit --- in which case, this is a HUGE problem for Al and the publishers.

-=Mike

This WILL be settled out-of-court. In fact, I think these two are in cahoots. Fox's weekend "Fox News Watch" program on Sunday which features a host and several talking heads actually went on about this story.

 

That's right, they were talking about their own lawsuit.

 

This is all part of a deal to sell more books.

[Guest JMA]

Even if Fox DOES win (which I doubt) it could be good for Franken. He'll look like the hero fighting against the big corporation. Hm, I wonder if he planned this?

[Guest MikeSC]

Easy there on the multiple posts, Tyler. You're pulling a "MikeSC".

Except he lacks a point of anything worth reading.

 

As do you.

-=Mike

[Guest MikeSC]

Even if Fox DOES win (which I doubt) it could be good for Franken. He'll look like the hero fighting against the big corporation. Hm, I wonder if he planned this?

Nah, Franken will be a guy who stole a copyright and had to pay millions.

 

No real upside to that.

-=mike

[Guest JMA]

Nah, Franken will be a guy who stole a copyright and had to pay millions.

 

No real upside to that.

-=mike

I very much doubt that will be how he's portrayed in the media. Well, except for Fox News, of course.

[Guest MikeSC]

Nah, Franken will be a guy who stole a copyright and had to pay millions.

 

No real upside to that.

      -=mike

I very much doubt that will be how he's portrayed in the media. Well, except for Fox News, of course.

The media won't portray it that much and all they will say is that he won or lost.

-=Mike --- well, unless they're biased; but that is impossible, right?

[Guest JMA]

well, unless they're biased; but that is impossible, right?

Of course it's not impossible. Just turn on Fox.

[Guest JMA]

Judge Rejects Fox Request on Franken Book

By ERIN McCLAM

 

NEW YORK (AP) - A federal judge on Friday denied Fox News Channel's request for an injunction to block humorist Al Franken's new book, whose title mocks the Fox slogan ``fair and balanced.''

 

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin said Fox's claim was ``wholly without merit, both factually and legally.''

 

The network had argued the subtitle to Franken's book ``Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'' could trick some consumers into believing the book is associated with Fox. The book's subtitle is ``A fair and balanced look at the Right.'' Fox trademarked ``fair and balanced'' in 1998.

 

Franken called the ruling a victory for the First Amendment and satirists everywhere - ``even bad satirists.''

 

 

``In addition to thanking my own lawyers,'' Franken said, ``I'd like to thank Fox's lawyers for filing one of the stupidest briefs I've ever seen in my life.''

 

 

The lawsuit described Franken as a ``C-level political commentator'' and said ``he appears to be shrill and unstable'' and his ``views lack any serious depth or insight.''

 

 

Franken's book went on sale nationally Thursday, moved up from its September rollout date because of publicity from the lawsuit. Publisher Penguin Group added 50,000 copies to the original run of 270,000 after the suit was filed.

 

 

On Friday, the book was listed at No. 2 on Amazon.com's bestseller list, behind ``The South Beach Diet.''

 

 

Fox spokesman Paul Schur said the network was considering its options, including appealing the judge's denial of an injunction.

 

 

``We don't care if it's Al Franken, Al Lewis or Weird Al Yankovic,'' he said. ``We're here to protect our trademark and our talent.''

 

 

The book's cover features Franken standing in front of a television monitor with screens of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, conservative pundit Ann Coulter and Fox host Bill O'Reilly.

 

 

The word ``Lies,'' in the title, appears in large print over the four screens.

 

credit: Wal-Mart Connect

[Firestarter 0]

Great news. Thanks for the heads-up, JMA.

 

Here's a more extensive CNN article on the ruling - apparently the chapter on O'Reilly is subtitled "Lying, Splotchy Bully." Since it's nothing more than the objective truth, that makes it fair and balanced in my book.

[Guest JMA]

Great news. Thanks for the heads-up, JMA.

 

Here's a more extensive CNN article on the ruling - apparently the chapter on O'Reilly is subtitled "Lying, Splotchy Bully." Since it's nothing more than the objective truth, that makes it fair and balanced in my book.

No problem. It's too bad Fox just won't let this whole thing go already.

[Firestarter 0]

All the better, I say. Franken will get more publicity, his book's sales will continue to skyrocket, and Fox will just look more and more ridiculous with every appeal they make. Can't see any downsides there.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Denny Chin is a Commie

 

*runs away*

[Jobber of the Week 0]

apparently the chapter on O'Reilly is subtitled "Lying, Splotchy Bully." Since it's nothing more than the objective truth, that makes it fair and balanced in my book.

And now, my impression of media whore Bill O'Reilly:

 

 

SHUT UP. SHUT UP. TURN OFF HER MIC. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. I DON'T WANNA HEA... AW THAT'S BALONEY. SHUT UP. SHUT UP.

 

 

 

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

An update. Didn't know this was going to happen -- like I said before, the best thing Fox can do is go back at Al with both guns blazing. Drudge up every little skull in his closet and have Bill and friends debunk everything possible in his book (assuming there is stuff to debunk)...:

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A...anguage=printer

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday slammed Fox News' trademark infringement lawsuit against Al Franken and his publisher Penguin Group and refused to stop the sale of the liberal satirist's new book that pokes fun at the network and host Bill O'Reilly.

 

Fox charged that Franken had violated its trademarked phrase "fair and balanced" by including it on the cover of his book entitled "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them." Fox is owned by News Corp. and Penguin is a unit of Pearson . The book went on sale on Thursday.

 

"There are hard cases and there are easy cases. This is an easy case," said U.S. District Judge Denny Chin. "This case is wholly without merit both factually and legally."

 

"Parody is a form of artistic expression protected by the First Amendment. The keystone to parody is imitation. Mr. Franken is clearly mocking Fox," said Chin.

 

The judge said he thought it ironic that a media company that should be fighting to protect free speech would seek to undermine the First Amendment. He also said he thought the "fair and balanced" trademark is weak because the phrase is used so often.

 

Although the judge refused to grant an injunction that could have stopped further books sales, he did not end the case. Fox could choose to pursue litigation while Penguin could file a motion asking that the case be dismissed. Both sides said they are considering their options.

 

"We don't care if it's Al Franken or Al Lewis or Weird Al Yankovic. We're here to protect our trademark and our talent," said Paul Schur, a Fox spokesman, after the hearing.

 

Fox argued in its suit that the cover's tag line, "A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," was used to confuse consumers.

 

During arguments held before his ruling, Chin asked Fox lawyer Dorie Hansworth if she really believed that the cover was confusing.

 

"To me, it's quite ambiguous as to what the message is," she said. "It's a deadly serious cover ... This is much too subtle to be considered a parody."

 

Floyd Abrams, a lawyer representing Penguin and Franken, strongly disagreed.

 

"There is no way that any person not completely dense would be confused by this cover to think that Fox was accusing O'Reilly of being a liar," he said.

 

Chin, siding with Abrams, pointed out that the word "Lies" in the title is printed in large red letters next to a photo of O'Reilly. He said that there was no likelihood that book buyers would think that the sponsor is Fox or O'Reilly.

 

"We are talking about relatively sophisticated consumers here," he said of those who would be buying Franken's book.

 

Chin also said that there was no evidence of bad faith by Franken to mislead consumers into thinking he works for Fox.

 

"There is no intent by Franken to palm himself off as a Fox commentator," he said.

 

Franken, who won four Emmy awards for his work on "Saturday Night Live," is the author of four previous books, including the recent best seller, "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot."

[Guest JMA]

IMO, it would be in Fox's best interest to drop this whole thing. The only thing they're doing is selling more of Al's books. Franken seems to be a natural at making people look like idiots (just look how stupid he made O'Reilly look in that debate).

[Jobber of the Week 0]

An update. Didn't know this was going to happen -- like I said before, the best thing Fox can do is go back at Al with both guns blazing.

Uh.. Why? They're just selling more books, Al has the legal high ground with the parody defense, they tried and lost once, and they're hardly fair nor balanced.

 

 

I mean, jesus christ...

He also said he thought the "fair and balanced" trademark is weak because the phrase is used so often.

 

In other words, he's casting doubt as to whether they can even do that or not. FNC would be best just to shut the hell up and just take cheap digs at Franken on Fox & Friends or something, or else they risk losing their trademark. Then they'd have to try and think up some other catchphrase to repeat every 10 minutes.