Pixar Sued Over 'Nemo' Character
07-24-03 | 05:07 PM
#1
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DVD Talk Legend
Pixar Sued Over 'Nemo' Character
http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/st...-17820,00.html
This is really getting out of hand... it's a throwaway joke... it's not even a major character! As for the confusion, deal with it! Hell, he's probably gonna gain from the confusion anyway. Are people not allowed to name anything after anything else anymore? Will writers have to start coming up with nonsense names like Mr. Googatanickitynumnuts? I always thought this was the reason they put that "not to be confused to with anyone living or dead.." at the end of the credits.
Mr. Ray Sues Pixar Over Name
Thu, Jul 24, 2003, 12:07 PM PT
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - What do you do when your fans confuse you with a fish?
If you're Ray Yodlowsky, you sue the Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios for $10 million dollars, according to the AP.
Yodlowsky, a New Jersey children's musician known for songs such as "Kalien the Alien" and "Roy G. Biv," goes by the moniker Mr. Ray for his work. In a strange coincidence, this also happens to be the name of a manta ray that plays a schoolteacher in the animated hit "Finding Nemo."
Fans are already mixing up the two Mr. Rays. At a recent performance, Yodlowsky reports that fans expected him to be dressed as a manta ray.
"It's weird," the musician says. "I'm a human ... that's a manta ray. People must be thinking I'm nuts. But it's my future, and who knows what plans they have for their Mr. Ray? Believe you me, children remember all the minor and secondary characters from those movies."
The lawsuit claims that Pixar's use of the name Mr. Ray would "obliterate and destroy" Yodlowsky's reputation and the market for his products.
Yodlowsky compares his dilemma to that of director Spike Lee, who sued and settled with Viacom Inc. over ownership rights to his professional name when the media conglomerate decided to rename its TNN network "Spike TV."
The Pixar movie "Finding Nemo," distributed by Disney, has taken in over $300 million dollars at the box office.
Thu, Jul 24, 2003, 12:07 PM PT
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - What do you do when your fans confuse you with a fish?
If you're Ray Yodlowsky, you sue the Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios for $10 million dollars, according to the AP.
Yodlowsky, a New Jersey children's musician known for songs such as "Kalien the Alien" and "Roy G. Biv," goes by the moniker Mr. Ray for his work. In a strange coincidence, this also happens to be the name of a manta ray that plays a schoolteacher in the animated hit "Finding Nemo."
Fans are already mixing up the two Mr. Rays. At a recent performance, Yodlowsky reports that fans expected him to be dressed as a manta ray.
"It's weird," the musician says. "I'm a human ... that's a manta ray. People must be thinking I'm nuts. But it's my future, and who knows what plans they have for their Mr. Ray? Believe you me, children remember all the minor and secondary characters from those movies."
The lawsuit claims that Pixar's use of the name Mr. Ray would "obliterate and destroy" Yodlowsky's reputation and the market for his products.
Yodlowsky compares his dilemma to that of director Spike Lee, who sued and settled with Viacom Inc. over ownership rights to his professional name when the media conglomerate decided to rename its TNN network "Spike TV."
The Pixar movie "Finding Nemo," distributed by Disney, has taken in over $300 million dollars at the box office.
07-24-03 | 05:26 PM
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It depends. If the name "Mr. Ray" is under copyright, then he has every right to sue, but if that is just what his fans call him, then he has no case. I'm sure Pixar, and all movie studios check copyrights before they finalize anything... and, ALL movies have that little disclaimer on the end stating that there is no relationship between the characters and real people, and that any such semblance is unintentional. Shouldn't that be basis enough to get the case thrown out?
I actually think it is funny when I hear my name in a movie or TV show, as it isn't the most common name in the world (Chad).
I actually think it is funny when I hear my name in a movie or TV show, as it isn't the most common name in the world (Chad).
07-24-03 | 05:33 PM
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DVD Talk Hero
I'm going to sue The Weitz Brothers, and Universal for the use of 'Stiffler' in the American Pie Films.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
07-24-03 | 05:40 PM
#6
Originally posted by troystiffler
I'm going to sue The Weitz Brothers, and Universal for the use of 'Stiffler' in the American Pie Films.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
I'm going to sue The Weitz Brothers, and Universal for the use of 'Stiffler' in the American Pie Films.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
07-24-03 | 08:22 PM
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From: Right Behind You
Originally posted by troystiffler
I'm going to sue The Weitz Brothers, and Universal for the use of 'Stiffler' in the American Pie Films.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
I'm going to sue The Weitz Brothers, and Universal for the use of 'Stiffler' in the American Pie Films.
I had to go through high school with that name. And I even still get it from a lot of adults. It's pretty pathetic.
07-24-03 | 08:22 PM
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From: Montreal
I heard a couple of small trees from somewhere in Vermont are about to sue President George W. Bush for misuse of the name Bush. The president of the United States allegedly made statements and took actions that put all bushes to shame. Also, some bush in Kentucky is going on a petition rally to get a thousand bushes, trees and shruberries to sign. The petitionners want to force the president to change his name into something less annoying for them.
In a statement to the press, director Spike Lee said he thinks the action is totally confusing him and he now menaces to sue the bushes for stealing his idea.
In a statement to the press, director Spike Lee said he thinks the action is totally confusing him and he now menaces to sue the bushes for stealing his idea.
07-24-03 | 08:40 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by nice_skis
I heard a couple of small trees from somewhere in Vermont are about to sue President George W. Bush for misuse of the name Bush. The president of the United States allegedly made statements and took actions that put all bushes to shame. Also, some bush in Kentucky is going on a petition rally to get a thousand bushes, trees and shruberries to sign. The petitionners want to force the president to change his name into something less annoying for them.
I heard a couple of small trees from somewhere in Vermont are about to sue President George W. Bush for misuse of the name Bush. The president of the United States allegedly made statements and took actions that put all bushes to shame. Also, some bush in Kentucky is going on a petition rally to get a thousand bushes, trees and shruberries to sign. The petitionners want to force the president to change his name into something less annoying for them.
07-24-03 | 08:49 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Pixar Sued Over 'Nemo' Character
Originally posted by DRG
Will writers have to start coming up with nonsense names like Mr. Googatanickitynumnuts?
Will writers have to start coming up with nonsense names like Mr. Googatanickitynumnuts?
07-24-03 | 09:08 PM
#12
DVD Talk God
how can you trademark a name like Mr. Ray? What if your name was actually was Mr. Ray? Stupid money grubbing ****ers. I can maybe understand suing for a few thousand bucks, but for $10,000,000 is insane. That's more than this freaking song writer will ever see in his life. And who in the hell is going to confuse a person for a friggin Manta Ray? WTF? I hope this guy gets run over by a bus full of kids.
Last edited by Deftones, Esq; 07-24-03 at 09:11 PM.
07-24-03 | 09:09 PM
#13
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DVD Talk Legend
Re: Re: Pixar Sued Over 'Nemo' Character
Originally posted by Numanoid
My co-worker, Ralph Googatanickitynumnuts, wanted me to inform you that he will be suing you for defamation of character and using his name without his permission.
My co-worker, Ralph Googatanickitynumnuts, wanted me to inform you that he will be suing you for defamation of character and using his name without his permission.
07-24-03 | 10:14 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Yeah, and I'm suing lego for those damn lego maniac commericals. My name is Zach, and although I like legos, I am not a lego maniac. Now where's my check?
07-24-03 | 10:17 PM
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
uum... Manta Ray. That is the name of the fish, he was male so they named him Mr. Ray. Simple as that. This guy blongs in the books with the idiots that sue fast food places because they are fat, and the idiot that screwed up the Pledge of Allegiance.
Idiots. Idiots. Idiots. I say we send all these morons to Iraq for Hussein's sons to torture... er wait...
Idiots. Idiots. Idiots. I say we send all these morons to Iraq for Hussein's sons to torture... er wait...
07-24-03 | 11:26 PM
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Same thing happened before with "SPIKE" (Lee) TV. Same thing happened before with anti-drunk-driving pundit Jack Ass. And it will happen again... and again... and again.
My last name's 'Kenny'. Time to go sue South Park, because, apparently, I can.
That's the worst name I've ever heard.
My last name's 'Kenny'. Time to go sue South Park, because, apparently, I can.
Originally posted by Darren Garrison
What about Joeyjojo Shubadoo?
What about Joeyjojo Shubadoo?
07-25-03 | 01:40 AM
#25
DVD Talk Hero
This just in: Disney has filed a countersuit against this guy for using Roy Disney's name in one of his songs without permission.
according to Roy Disney, "I can't go out in public without people calling me Roy G. Biv. This guys stupid song will obliterate and destroy my reputation...I'm a human...that's a rainbow".
according to Roy Disney, "I can't go out in public without people calling me Roy G. Biv. This guys stupid song will obliterate and destroy my reputation...I'm a human...that's a rainbow".