Mr.Admin
08-13-2003, 06:08 AM
What's objectionable about the title of satirist Al Franken's new book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right"?
It's not what you might think.
The St. Louis Park native responded with mirth and sarcasm Tuesday to the news that the Fox News Network has filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against him for using the words "fair and balanced," which Fox uses to advertise its news.
Fox says Franken's use would "blur and tarnish" what it called its "signature slogan." The suit also charges that the book's cover resembles books by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, and seeks an injunction against its planned September release until the title and cover are changed.
...
Todd Hanson, senior writer at the Onion, said that the humor newspaper and Web site has never been threatened with legal action for the borrowing of a phrase for satirical purposes, although he suggested, "Maybe we'll get sued by the Vegetable Growers of America for using the word 'onion.' "
Satirist Andy Borowitz, author of the parody "Who Moved My Soap?" quipped, "Fox claiming they own the words 'fair and balanced' is a little like Schwarzenegger claiming he owns the words 'qualified and experienced.'
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4039068.html
It's not what you might think.
The St. Louis Park native responded with mirth and sarcasm Tuesday to the news that the Fox News Network has filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against him for using the words "fair and balanced," which Fox uses to advertise its news.
Fox says Franken's use would "blur and tarnish" what it called its "signature slogan." The suit also charges that the book's cover resembles books by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, and seeks an injunction against its planned September release until the title and cover are changed.
...
Todd Hanson, senior writer at the Onion, said that the humor newspaper and Web site has never been threatened with legal action for the borrowing of a phrase for satirical purposes, although he suggested, "Maybe we'll get sued by the Vegetable Growers of America for using the word 'onion.' "
Satirist Andy Borowitz, author of the parody "Who Moved My Soap?" quipped, "Fox claiming they own the words 'fair and balanced' is a little like Schwarzenegger claiming he owns the words 'qualified and experienced.'
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4039068.html