WWE Legal Battles

[Paul Stanley 0]

WWE's legal team has been on a terror as of late by going after anyone and everyone they think might infringe on their copyrights and trademarks, most especially ones concerning ECW. Here are some of the people they have threatened with letters just recently.

 

 

 

WWE have sent a cease and desist letter to Peter Polaco, aka Justin Credible. Apparently, he can no longer use the "Justin Credible" name on wrestling shows anymore.

 

 

Johnny Ace recently informed Pete Gruner (Billy Kidman) that he not use the name "Billy Kidman" or "Kidman" on the independent scene when his 90-day no-compete clause expires next month.

 

 

The WWE legal team informed the webmaster of Spike Dudley's official website, SpikeDudley.net, that they can no longer use photos of him taken during his WWE tenure on his site. The WWE legal team says it constitutes copyright infringement and threatened him with a $150,000 damage case per photo. Some official WWE photos are still up on the site as of this post, but I'd imagine they'll be taken down sooner rather than later.

 

 

Also, the WWE legal team is currently looking at the folks who put together the "Hardcore Homecoming" shows for any potential legal hole they can nail them with. There's nothing specific yet, but WWE is claiming that the shows were infringing on WWE's trademarks and intellectual properties.

 

 

sources - Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com

Here are some more specific details on the WWE/Dudley Boyz situation....

 

Mark LoMonica is forbidden from using the names "Bubba", "Buh-Buh", "Bubba Ray Dudley" or "Buh-Buh Ray Dudley" on independent shows and appearances as they caught a company using the name "Bubba" on advertising for a recent New York indie show and then they sent him and the indy promotion cease and desist letters to stop him from using that name or any name similar to his old name for that matter. Devon Hughes cannot use the name "D-Von" or "D-Von Dudley", although they can't stop him from using the name "Devon" as that's his real name. And of course, they can't use or be referred to as "The Dudleys", "The Dudleyz", "The Dudley Boys", or "Dudley Boyz" period.

 

WWE is also claiming rights to their catchphrases and costumes. They can't wear camouflauge or wrestle wearing glasses. WWE is also not allowing the term "get the tables" be used in advertising for them as a press release was pulled with new phrasing as WWE wouldn't allow the NY indie group to use the term, "get the tables." There is also a possibility that WWE will claim the terms "3-D" and "D-Von, Get the tables", although they can't ban them from using the manuever. WWE is claiming broad rights to everything associated with The Dudley Boyz gimmick.

 

Hughes and LoMonica have talked about fighting WWE legally because they left ECW with the idea that they owned the rights to their names and gimmick, but it could end up being a costly fight which is why they might not challenge WWE in court. The former Dudleyz are currently brainstorming a new gimmick for the team and they will let TNA know what the gimmick is after they trademark it themselves.

 

 

Jesus christ..

[Guest Fishyswa]

Damn, that's gonna hurt a lot of independents.

[The Mandarin 0]

That's a really expensive one night stand.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Remember on the "Monday Night Wars" DVD, where Jerry Brisco talked about big, bad WCW "stealing food off his table", and how WCW were basically bullies beating on poor, widdle WWF?

 

Yeah.

[razazteca 0]

So every gimmick that was ever used in ECW is owned by WWE?

[MillenniumMan831 0]

I wonder if they can legally go after Raven.

[Guest *KNK*]

So every gimmick that was ever used in ECW is owned by WWE?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Raven proved his intelligence by securing the rights to his name way before WWE could.

 

I only pray CM Punk has secured the rights to his name.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Nope, because Scott Levy owns the name and the character.

[Silence 0]

I wonder if they can legally go after Raven.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Edit: Never mind about Raven. Although Rhyno might still be at risk.

[Guest MikeSC]

So every gimmick that was ever used in ECW is owned by WWE?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Most are.

 

Not a huge loss. The only compelling character owns his own rights.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

I wonder if Kidman can use "Kydman" as a work-around?

[Richard 0]

What if a wrestler has his name legally changed to his wrestling name? Will that make any difference?

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Yes, because then it's his legal name. This is why indy wrestlers REALLY need to copyright their own names and the names of their moves, because if they ever work for a big company and said big company decides to fuck them over by cutting them after they've broken down their bodies to appease the boss and that company's fans without even letting them keep their names, then they're as good as dead unless they can come up with a great gimmick elsewhere.

[AlaskanHero 0]

If they legally changed their name to their wrestling name then WWE couldn't do shit. I mean, look at the Ultimate Warrior.

 

EDIT-Damn, Laz beat me to the post, so to salvage this post, I want to say that Raven did always strike me as the smart one from ECW. I admire the fact that he's been able to avoid being legally fucked over by WWE.

[Guest *KNK*]

If they legally changed their name to their wrestling name then WWE couldn't do shit. I mean, look at the Ultimate Warrior.

 

EDIT-Damn, Laz beat me to the post, so to salvage this post, I want to say that Raven did always strike me as the smart one from ECW. I admire the fact that he's been able to avoid being legally fucked over by WWE.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

WWE owns ULTIMATE WARRIOR.

 

However, Jim Helwig is now Warrior Helwig.

 

However, how many people in the years of copyright ruled wrestling have legally changed their names?

[teke184 0]

If they legally changed their name to their wrestling name then WWE couldn't do shit. I mean, look at the Ultimate Warrior.

 

EDIT-Damn, Laz beat me to the post, so to salvage this post, I want to say that Raven did always strike me as the smart one from ECW. I admire the fact that he's been able to avoid being legally fucked over by WWE.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

WWE owns ULTIMATE WARRIOR.

 

However, Jim Helwig is now Warrior Helwig.

 

However, how many people in the years of copyright ruled wrestling have legally changed their names?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Two that I know of...

 

1. "Jim Hellwig" to "Warrior Helwig"

 

2. "Richard Rood" to "Richard Rude"

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Mark LoMonica is forbidden from using the names "Bubba", "Buh-Buh", "Bubba Ray Dudley" or "Buh-Buh Ray Dudley" on independent shows and appearances as they caught a company using the name "Bubba" on advertising for a recent New York indie show and then they sent him and the indy promotion cease and desist letters to stop him from using that name or any name similar to his old name for that matter.

 

Hmm.

 

The Dude-Lee Boys? Devon Dudley is now Devon Lee and Bubba is now Mark Dude...

 

ugh

[Guest *KNK*]

Mark LoMonica is forbidden from using the names "Bubba", "Buh-Buh", "Bubba Ray Dudley" or "Buh-Buh Ray Dudley" on independent shows and appearances as they caught a company using the name "Bubba" on advertising for a recent New York indie show and then they sent him and the indy promotion cease and desist letters to stop him from using that name or any name similar to his old name for that matter.

 

Hmm.

 

The Dude-Lee Boys? Devon Dudley is now Devon Lee and Bubba is now Mark Dude...

 

ugh

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I was going to say just re-name it "Dudlee Brothers" but thats too similar and would get called on.

 

Man, I bet they wish they didn't listen to Paul Heyman right now.

[2GOLD 0]

Give it a few more months and watch the WWE try and copyright the word "wrestling" just so they can sue the NCAA and all the indys for saying they are having wrestling shows.

 

I still say one of the main reasons Raven never got the push in WWE was because he did own his name. No way the WWE was going to let someone they couldn't rake over the coals later get famous on them.

[Jericholic82 0]

Vince Mcmahon is rather paranoid I gather.

[Guest JMA]

I'm sure Raven could help the Dudleys (can we still call them that) come up with a different gimmick. After all, he did help come up with the original Dudley gimmick.

 

That being said, I'm extremely disappointed that WWE won't let them use their gimmick. I hope they do fight this, but I just don't see them winning.

[Guest *KNK*]

Vince Mcmahon is rather paranoid I gather.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's just good and smart business not to allow them(TNA specifically) to make money off their property.

 

It's the former dudleyz fault for not being smart enough to realize they could get cut and that Paul Heyman didn't do what he said he did.

[Guest *KNK*]

I'm sure Raven could help the Dudleys (can we still call them that) come up with a different gimmick. After all, he did help come up with the original Dudley gimmick.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I wouldn't put it past Vince and Co. to start coming down on websites and message boards for using their properties names in text format or even having pictures of their property in the avatars and sigs.

[Ravenbomb 0]

So, no Dudleys, Dudleyz, Dudley Boyz, or Dudley Boys. So, what about the Dudlyz, Dudlys, Dudly Boys, or Dudly Boyz? If Rhino is legally different from Rhyno, then removing that one E should be enough.

 

Also, MAN Raven's a fucking genius....

[Twisted Intestine 0]

Or every other wrestler is careless.

 

Owning your name doesn't strick me as an idea that takes a rocket scientest.

[Ravenbomb 0]

Or every other wrestler is careless.

 

Owning your name doesn't strick me as an idea that takes a rocket scientest.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You'd think so, but in the midst of all these people who were released by WWE all of a sudden getting fucked over on using their names, Raven just looks geniusy

[Guest MrBriggs]

Vince Mcmahon is rather paranoid I gather.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's just good and smart business not to allow them(TNA specifically) to make money off their property.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That doesn't make Vince any less of a rotten cocksucker. People damn near kill themselves for his company and then he shits on them like they're garbage. He didn't create the gimmick, he shouldn't own the gimmick, and he's a peice of shit for stealing what doesn't belong from him.

 

I agree that it's a better for his wallet, but fucking ETHICS should fit into the picture somewhere.

[Guest *KNK*]

Vince Mcmahon is rather paranoid I gather.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's just good and smart business not to allow them(TNA specifically) to make money off their property.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That doesn't make Vince any less of a rotten cocksucker. People damn near kill themselves for his company and then he shits on them like they're garbage. He didn't create the gimmick, he shouldn't own the gimmick, and he's a peice of shit for stealing what doesn't belong from him.

 

I agree that it's a better for his wallet, but fucking ETHICS should fit into the picture somewhere.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

He should own the gimmick because he is the one who owns the property that the Dudley Boys were founded upon.

 

The wrestlers know what they are giving up when they sign the contract. They hand over any rights to that name and know that they can't use the name unless it's their legal name in other promotions unless they have been granted permission.

 

I don't think it's fair that Vince resorts to doing this but it's a perfectly acceptable business move to perserve their copyrights.

 

Why should TNA be allowed to promote off Vince McMahon's empire? Maybe TNA and Dudleyz should look at this as a blessing.

 

A chance for TAFKADB to reinvent themselfs.

[snuffbox 0]

Admittedly, I have no knowledge of the wwe's financial status...but could all this activity be a sign of some possible problems or losses in that area for Vince? This never seemed to be an issue before (Lord knows how many wwf/e characters worked indies in the past using the old characters and names) but now its lawsuits for all.

[snuffbox 0]

Vince Mcmahon is rather paranoid I gather.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It's just good and smart business not to allow them(TNA specifically) to make money off their property.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

That doesn't make Vince any less of a rotten cocksucker. People damn near kill themselves for his company and then he shits on them like they're garbage. He didn't create the gimmick, he shouldn't own the gimmick, and he's a peice of shit for stealing what doesn't belong from him.

 

I agree that it's a better for his wallet, but fucking ETHICS should fit into the picture somewhere.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

He should own the gimmick because he is the one who owns the property that the Dudley Boys were founded upon.

 

The wrestlers know what they are giving up when they sign the contract. They hand over any rights to that name and know that they can't use the name unless it's their legal name in other promotions unless they have been granted permission.

 

I don't think it's fair that Vince resorts to doing this but it's a perfectly acceptable business move to perserve their copyrights.

 

Why should TNA be allowed to promote off Vince McMahon's empire? Maybe TNA and Dudleyz should look at this as a blessing.

 

A chance for TAFKADB to reinvent themselfs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Nevermind.