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OPINION POLL

What do you think of filmmaker Spike Lee's lawsuit to prevent Viacom from renaming TNN "SpikeTV"?

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Jun 26, 2003: Production begins on ENTERPRISE season three

Aug 4, 2003: STAR TREK NEMESIS Region 2 DVD UK Release

Aug 5, 2003: ST:DS9 Season Four DVD Set U.S. Release

Oct 4, 2003: ST:DS9 Season Five DVD Set U.S. Release

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Dec 2, 2003: ST:DS9 Season Seven DVD Set U.S. Release

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STAR TREK's Cable Home Receives Legal 'Spike' in Battle Over New Name

PROMENADE

Posted: 00:56:48 on June 13 2003
By: Steve Krutzler
Dept: General Star Trek

In an interesting twist yesterday, New York State Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub temporarily barred Viacom from changing its cable network TNN to "SpikeTV," according to Zap2it. The court order grants an injunction requested by well known director Spike Lee, who claims that the new moniker seeks to cash in on his name and celebrity status.

TNN is of course the home for reruns of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, with both DEEP SPACE NINE and VOYAGER coming to the network over the next few years. Originally The Nashville Network, Viacom has rapidly repurposed TNN since acquiring it and now seeks to brand the channel as a cable network "for men," in opposition to channels tailored to women like Lifetime and Oxygen. Other programming includes James Bond movie marathons, wrestling, and a new Pamela Anderson-voiced, Stan Lee-penned cartoon called STRIPPERELLA.

Despite the seeming common usage of the word "spike" as both a noun and verb in everyday language, judge Tolub felt plaintiff Lee's attorneys made a convincing case.

"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. There are many celebrities that are so recognized, including Cher, Madonna (news - web sites), Sting and Liza."

Viacom is appealing the decision and Lee has been ordered to pay a $500,000 bond to cover the media giant's losses from the injunction if it is overturned.

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TREKWEB TALKBACK
(18 comments)

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For that matter...
By BWilliams ( bill@trekweb.com) at 17:23:10 on June 17 2003
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Let's talk about how many different uses there are of names that are shared by the one-named celebrities.

Cher: Remember the film "Clueless"? The main character of the film was named Cher, though she didn't look like the singer.

Madonna: The name has been in use for hundreds of years long before Madonna (the singer) came along, even immortalized in the Beatles' song "Lady Madonna".

Sting: There haven't been any legal confrontations between Gordon Sumner (Sting the singer) and Steve Borden (Sting the professional wrestler). Everyone seems to be cool with it, it seems.

Now unless the channel were being called "SpikeLeeTV" by someone who didn't look like the director, that would be a different kettle of fish. But they've announced this name change for months, and only now is he whining about it. "They took my name! Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Maybe if he wins the injunction, lawsuit, call it what you will, he can take his winnings and buy himself some cheese for his whine.

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Who?
By iam ( ) at 00:58:35 on June 15 2003
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Alright, everyone raise there hands who went, "who's Spike Lee?" when this news story broke? Also I would like to see a showing of hands who think this law suit is right up there with the people who ate too much at McDonalds and are now suing them. I think there some amazing similarites, yes? You know, Maybe Spike Lee is suing because he doesn't want his name associated with that crummy Channel. That would be more of a valid reason! At least more valid than suing McDonalds because you spilled your own coffee in your own lap. I love that one. Could this get anymore frivilous?

"The thing about our hot coffee is that it's hot!" - Jack

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RE: Who? by BWilliams @ 17:15:08 ET on 17 Jun

spike lee TV
By DarthSpock ( ) at 19:32:38 on June 13 2003
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I live in NYC, where Spike Lee is very popular. When I heard of Spike TV, the first thing I thought was "What a stupid name" and Spike Lee never really crossed my mind.

But I can see where he is coming from. Spike Lee is a film maker. It's not like he's a character in a show, he's an actual person that is known for his brand of movies and also spends millions on the production of movies and television shows. I think it's very possible for someone who has just heard of Spike Lee to think that he may have something to do with the channel, that he selects the shows that will be on. (sort of how MTV a while back would let a 'star' pick all their favorite videos for a few hours and call it like "Love TV" or "Kiss TV" or whoever was selecting the videos.)

I think this injuction is a good thing for TNN.. it will force them to use alittle imagination in their name change.

---

"I am not sure what disappoints me more... your cowardice or your stupidity."

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RE: spike lee TV by BWilliams @ 14:10:49 ET on 17 Jun

never heard of him
By Beckett ( mail[at]jonathan-davies.net) at 19:01:02 on June 13 2003
URL: http://www.jonathan-davies.net | User Info

I just thought Buffy. weird name though.

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---------------------------------------
Nemesis had all the right buttons there waiting to be pressed, but like Data on a Reman keypad Paramount seem to have pushed the wrong ones. :/

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The first thought I had when I saw TNN...
By Mr. Hippo ( mr_hippo@eudoramail.com) at 07:56:15 on June 13 2003
URL: | User Info

... advertising the name change was "Spike" as in James Marsters from BVS. Spike Lee's name never entered my mind. Spike Lee must a legend in his own mind and the New York judge completely out of touch. When was the last time Spike Lee had a commercial hit? Ten years?

Seems to me all Viacom has to do is go with a uncapitalized brand name... "spikeTV"... to solve that "problem."

Perhaps Joss Whedon can sue too and the court system can be flooded with even more ridiculous law suits. And the trial lawyers (and their favorite" Jonathon Edwards, and the Democrats in general) don't think this country needs Tort Reform. *sigh*

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"It's my duty... It's my duty as a complete and utter bastard."
- Rimmer (Timeslides, Red Dwarf)

"Your gangly attempt at being clever has been futile."
- Dieter (Dieter's Dance Party, Sprockets)

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RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by paustin @ 11:52:52 ET on 13 Jun
RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by falcon @ 10:53:19 ET on 13 Jun

RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by Cmdr T'Nor @ 20:50:58 ET on 14 Jun

RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by Cujo @ 10:11:56 ET on 13 Jun
RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by Neilbucket @ 09:34:08 ET on 13 Jun

RE: The first thought I had when I saw TNN... by Mr. Hippo @ 16:52:47 ET on 13 Jun

Ugh!
By sttngfan 1701d ( ) at 02:39:56 on June 13 2003
URL: http:// | User Info

Come on! Spike Lee just wants media attention, that's all.

I agree that Spike TV is a stupid name, but let them change the name opf the network if they want! Jeez, they're already deep into the ad campaign - as a matter of fact, the change is due to come in 4 days.

God this is stupid.

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"Nothing shocks me; I'm a scientist." - Indiana Jones

"Uh, water? No, thank you sir. Fish make love in it." - Marcus Brody

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RE: Ugh! by Cmdr T'Nor @ 20:54:27 ET on 14 Jun

Oh Boy...
By Iron Helix ( ) at 01:05:31 on June 13 2003
URL: http://www.maniacalmonkeys.net/ | User Info

How much more retarded can you get?

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RE: Oh Boy... by falcon @ 10:55:41 ET on 13 Jun

RE: Oh Boy... by PokeTrek @ 22:34:46 ET on 13 Jun