"Spike" Lee needs more cash!!!

[DangerWillRobinson]

Lee Told To Post $2.5 Million

Author: Michael Hinman
Date: 06-25-2003
Source: TV Guide
If movie director Spike Lee wants to continue his battle against media giant Viacom, he's going to have to come up with some more upfront cash.

A judge ruled this week that Lee has to post a $2.5 million bond to cover Viacom's damages that will be used if he loses a trial against the company in their attempts to rename The National Network as Spike TV. Lee claims that the name is confusing to people, making them believe that the cable channel -- which includes broadcast rights to "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and next year "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" -- has something to do with the director of such films as "Malcolm X."

A new trial date has been set for Aug. 18. Viacom had planned to start using the new Spike TV name last week, but a judge enjoined the cable channel from moving forward with the name.

Lee has until Monday to front the extra cash in order to have his lawsuit proceed.

[grinner]

I was watching the Court channel... or whatever the name of the channel that shows trials and such. Well anyway, there was a judge on a panel that stated that Spike Lee MIGHT have to pony up at least 20 million if he looses. That is a lot of money in a high stakes poker game over a stupid nickname. I honestly think that Mr. Lee didn't think it thru all the way... and what his liabilities would be.

[BillFrugge]

Nah, the only thing Shelton 'Spike' Lee was thinking about was his ego.

[vhsiv]

I talked to a cynical, street-smart friend of mine about the SpikeTv case, and he suggested that the whole thing was a PR setup - free publicity for Viacom, free notoreity for Shelton, with a payoff to him when it's all over.

On the other hand, my Dad, a junkyard-dog of a former corporate lawyer, suggested that Viacom would likely settle with Mr. Lee, just to make it all go away.

So, I suppose it could go either way...

[Dominar of Action]

Only problem with your friend's theory is that this isn't exactly "free" publicity for Viacom -- the suit and aborted roll-out of their new network name has undoubtedly cost them a fair amount of $$. And given Viacom's losses, I doubt it will turn out to be much more "free" for Mr. Lee.

So, I agree with your father -- if I were Viacom, I'd choose another name (I never liked the "Spike" moniker to begin with :P) and then eventually settle with Spike Lee over the damages he's caused with his silly little lawsuit.

[vhsiv]

vhsiv (assuming Natira's voice): Do-mi-nar, how so very nice to see you! I didn't expect to see you here on a Saturday. Thanks for your comment, since we were talking about this last week.

From the look of it, they may be headed for 'FNM', as in the 'First Network for Men' - which, though totally sexist, they ought to have gone with from the beginning. I mean, that's the graphic they've been using to identify themselves for the past week or so...

[DangerWillRobinson]

Hopefully, the only thing Shelton Lee comes out of this is with a lighter wallet.

[BillFrugge]

Would anyone sue if they called it 'Butch?'

[grinner]

Originally posted by BillFrugge
Would anyone sue if they called it 'Butch?' Butch isn't a manly name anymore... it was taken over by 'BullDykes'.