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19.3.24 0015
The W - Pro Wrestling - More Blurring?
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Juggalo101
Italian








Since: 27.4.04
From: Atlanta

Since last post: 4067 days
Last activity: 4066 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.77
Credit for the following goes to PWInsider.com:

WWE recently filed a lawsuit against Marvel Comics so that they could maintain the rights to the "Hulk Hogan" name as they launch their WWE 24/7 Video On Demand service.

Bloomberg Newswire ran an article today in which Marvel claims that WWE's rights to the name expired this month, though WWE claims that they own the rights until March of 2005.

Without the Hogan name, WWE cannot market and distribute the WWF, WCW, and WWE matches that they want to use as part of the WWE 24/7 service.

WWE had originally licensed the rights from Marvel Comics back in 1985 when the company came forward saying that Hogan's ring name was infringing on the rights of the "Incredible Hulk" character, which was created by Stan Lee back in the 1960's.

The original agreement between the two sides covered the names "Hulk Hogan", "The Hulkster", and "Hulkamania."

One of the main reasons why WCW often pushed the "Hollywood" Hogan name rather than "Hulk Hogan" was due to the legalities of the actual Hulk Hogan name.
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This will make a pretty big impact on 24/7 if the WWE can't get the right to it. I also noticed on the Foley DVD, that they even blurred WWF logos on fans' t-shirts (which is just sad really). All the fans in the late 80s-early 90s that had Hulk shirts, foam fingers, etc....I don't understand if they had an agreement with Marvel in the first place, then why can't they just show the footage that Marvel has already approved. Honestly, companies (World Wildlife Fund) are just getting too fucking picky with rights to names.
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Battlezone
Potato korv








Since: 27.2.03
From: Seattle, Washington

Since last post: 5579 days
Last activity: 312 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.38
A hypothetical, for those who might know:

If Terry Bollea were to legally change his name to Hulk Hogan, does any of this matter? Can he even do that, as it has already been establised that the name "Hulk" belongs to Marvel? Would he still be responsible to Marvel for use of the name? And if so, would the WWE then be able to use the Hulk Hogan name in old footage, given that at the time, his name wasn't legally Hulk Hogan then?

I've always wondered about this.

And why, given all of these naming issues, have I never read about any issues between Sting, the wrestler, and Sting, the singer?



"It's the four pillars of the male heterosexual psyche. We like naked women, stockings, lesbians, and Sean Connery best as James Bond because that is what being a [man] is." -Jack Davenport, Coupling
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Andouille








Since: 5.3.03
From: TORONTO

Since last post: 3980 days
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#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.66
Here's the full article from Bloomberg.com, for anyone interested:

World Wrestling Sues Marvel Over Use of `Hulk' Name

By Susan Decker
July 19 (Bloomberg) -- World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is suing comic-book company Marvel Enterprises Inc. so it can
continue using the ``Hulk Hogan'' name.
Hulk Hogan, played by Terry Bollea, has been one of World Wrestling's most popular wrestlers since the 1980s. In 1985, World Wrestling signed a 20-year contract after it was accused by Marvel of infringing the ``Incredible Hulk'' comic-book character. The agreement covered the words ``Hulk Hogan,''
``Hulkamania'' and ``Hulkster,'' according to the lawsuit.
World Wrestling needs clear rights to continue using the Hulk Hogan name as it begins a subscription video-on-demand service that will feature its 75,000-hour library of old wrestling matches. The company is also planning to release videos and DVDs of old matches.
``The exploitation of WWE's works portraying Hulk Hogan
figures prominently in WWE's efforts to make use of its video library,'' Stamford, Connecticut-based World Wrestling claims in the lawsuit, filed Thursday in New York.
Marvel, the company that owns Spider-Man and the X-Men
characters, contends that World Wrestling must stop using the Hulk Hogan name once the licensing contract expires. Marvel says it ended July 9, while World Wrestling says it ends in March 2005.

Death of the Hulk?

``In essence, Marvel Characters has taken the position that the Hulk Hogan character dies in July 2004 and that WWE will be violating'' Marvel's rights ``if WWE displays performances of the Hulk Hogan character rendered over the last 20 years,'' the suit contends.
No date has been set for World Wrestling's WWE 24/7, said company spokesman Gary Davis. The company just started an advertising campaign in trade magazines and is ``close to
finalizing agreements'' with some cable operators, he said.
World Wrestling also is contesting Marvel's rights to the name, saying it's unclear who owns the rights since the company that was Marvel Comics ``has been part of numerous transactions, legal transformations and at least one highly complex bankruptcy reorganization over the past 20 years.''
World Wrestling wants a judge to rule that it has the rights to continue using the Hulk Hogan name and character, and to say whether Marvel owns the trademark.

`Engine of Destruction'

``The Incredible Hulk'' is a ``living, breathing engine of destruction,'' according to Marvel's Web site. The character was featured in a television series from 1978 to 1982 and a 2003 movie starring Eric Bana. In the TV series, Bill Bixby starred as a mild-mannered scientist who would become a muscular green-skinned monster (played by Lou Ferrigno) when angered.
A spokesman for New York-based Marvel didn't immediately return a voice-mail message seeking comment. Marvel, which is also in legal disputes with Walt Disney Co. and Sony Corp. over royalty payments for its character trademarks, reported $347.6 million in sales last year.
World Wrestling sales for the year ended April 30 were
$374.9 million, just $600,000 more than the year earlier. It's forecasting sales of $345 million to $365 million in fiscal 2005.
Marvel shares fell 40 cents to close at $15.52 in New York Stock Market Exchange composite trading, while World Wrestling Entertainment shares fell 3 cents to $12.38.




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Andouille








Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL

Since last post: 5727 days
Last activity: 5724 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.86
    Originally posted by Battlezone
    And why, given all of these naming issues, have I never read about any issues between Sting, the wrestler, and Sting, the singer?


According to an interview from the Miami Herald, Steve Borden and not Gordon Sumner owns the rights to the name Sting.

[From the Miami Herald, 7/9/99]

Question: If you had left, would you have been able to take the "Sting" name and likeness with you?

Sting: I own it.

Question: Oh, you do own it? OK.

Sting:It's a registered trademark that I registered in my name. I actually own the name Sting. The rock singer does not own it.

Question:That's interesting...

Sting:Yeah, a lot of people don't know that, but it's the truth. And, yeah I could have gone [to the WWF] as Sting.



(edited by Blanket Jackson on 20.7.04 1414)


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SKLOKAZOID
Bierwurst








Since: 20.3.02
From: California

Since last post: 1683 days
Last activity: 812 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.08
And Sting is still a nice enough guy to let him use it.

The concept of blurring out Hulk Hogan during his matches is quite hilarious. I would imagine that WWE and Marvel will reach some sort of deal to keep using his likeness soon. But, isn't there some sort of clause on archived material that would allow WWE to use it since the agreement was valid during that time?

If they use something from 1987, that's WWE-owned footage of one of its wrestlers, who had a standing agreement with Marvel at the time.
MARTYEWR
Kishke








Since: 15.10.02

Since last post: 3727 days
Last activity: 3727 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 10.00
    Originally posted by SKLOKAZOID
    The concept of blurring out Hulk Hogan during his matches is quite hilarious.


It'd be weird seeing Andre The Giant get slammed at WrestleMania III by a big gob of blur... :)



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DJ FrostyFreeze
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Hawthorne, CA

Since last post: 128 days
Last activity: 128 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.95

What I cant understand is how there can even be a dispute over when the original agreement expires anyway. What, did both sides forget where they put their copy?

I mean, if both parties decided that starting on a certain date, the agreement would be in place for a certain amount of years and they put it in writing (like I'm assuming they did), why is there even any question about it now?

Furthermore, I'm having a hard time coming up with a reason why Marvel wants to end this agreement so bad anyway. If it was just about getting more money for WWE to re-up the agreement for another 20 years or something (which is the only thing I can think of), why not just say so? I cant imagine Marvel is pulling a "Wildlife Fund" by claiming that they dont want to be associated with prefessional wrestlers anymore, because I dont think anyone ever looked at or heard the name "The Incredible Hulk", and got it/him confused with "Hulk Hogan" (not in the last 15 or so years, anyway).

And finally, I love it when the mainstream press sees that the new WWE logo no longer has an "F" in it & thinks the name of the company is now "World Wrestling". Comedy.





I miss The Big Fella already :(
HMD
Andouille








Since: 8.6.02
From: Canada

Since last post: 2532 days
Last activity: 2532 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.27
It's not like Marvel invented the word Hulk. They're not calling him "Hogan, the Incredible Hulk."

I'm with WWE on this one.



Hot Virgins-The World's Most Steadily Shrinking Commodity
Spaceman Spiff
Knackwurst








Since: 2.1.02
From: Philly Suburbs

Since last post: 1327 days
Last activity: 2 hours
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
That's only because you'd have to change your screen name to "(blur)'s My Dad"



Phantom
Frankfurter








Since: 17.3.02

Since last post: 5810 days
Last activity: 5786 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.60
I think they'd still be able to have his likeness and the name "Hogan" in there. They just wouldn't be able to have the "Hulk" name attached to it.

In other news, I'm now going to register the name "*Bleep*." Because in the event that the WWE loses this case, I want a nickel every time the name "*Bleep* Hogan" is uttered! :)
Mr Tuesday
Kolbasz








Since: 6.1.02
From: Chicago, IL

Since last post: 4302 days
Last activity: 4007 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.25
    Originally posted by Hogan's My Dad
    It's not like Marvel invented the word Hulk. They're not calling him "Hogan, the Incredible Hulk."

    I'm with WWE on this one.


Didn't WWF at one time call him "The Incredible Hulk Hogan"

And isn't the shirt ripping supposed to be like Banner's clothes ripping when he changes into the Hulk?
Von Maestro
Boudin rouge








Since: 6.1.04
From: New York

Since last post: 2596 days
Last activity: 2169 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.59
    Originally posted by Mr Tuesday
    Didn't WWF at one time call him "The Incredible Hulk Hogan"

    And isn't the shirt ripping supposed to be like Banner's clothes ripping when he changes into the Hulk?


Maybe, but Marvel's Hulk was green & the WWF's was orange. No one would confuse the two... ;)
bigredmachine29
Linguica








Since: 12.5.04
From: new jersey

Since last post: 6777 days
Last activity: 6237 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.76
Orange? Um....try yellow and red. And his skin is brown, as far as I can see.

(edited by bigredmachine29 on 20.7.04 1343)
Mr Tuesday
Kolbasz








Since: 6.1.02
From: Chicago, IL

Since last post: 4302 days
Last activity: 4007 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.27
    Originally posted by bigredmachine29
    Orange? Um....try yellow and red.

MUm.. Hogan has orange skin, haven't you noticed that?
dMp
Knackwurst








Since: 4.1.02
From: The Hague, Netherlands (Europe)

Since last post: 256 days
Last activity: 3 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.04
Also the Marvel hulk is a mutant. Hogan is a goblin *grin*
Hmmm...wait...Orange Goblin..Green Goblin. I think I smell a lawsuit in that one!



*sigh* Why bother?
CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3562 days
Last activity: 2800 days
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.46
A SPECIAL HULKAMANIA EDITION:

First of all, Hogan's skin isnt orange. Maybe light reflects off his red and yellow attire sometimes and he might seem a little orange but- he IS some shade of brown. Look at him, dammit!

Now to other business;
"Hogan'sMyDad" is right, Marvel didnt invent the freaking word Hulk, which by Websters definition is a
"bulky or unwieldy person or thing" (it also means the body of a dismantled ship, but thats irrelevant)

I think it would be just as idiotic if the WWE got legal rights on the words "Doink, The, and Clown" and proceeded to put every circus and birthday clown out of business. (As well as claiming legal rights to anything with the word "THE" in its name or title.) Its just that dumb.



Quick side-note:
The word "HULKING" means "heavy and clumsy",
that completely changes the definition of "Hulking Up"-
which would then mean "growing increasingly dense and stupid" (Which Hulking Up does not do, before anyone even takes that as an opportunity to make a cheap joke!)


(edited by WhoTookMyHonor? on 20.7.04 1442)





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Andouille








Since: 5.3.03
From: TORONTO

Since last post: 3980 days
Last activity: 1601 days
ICQ:  
#17 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.66
He was called "The Incredible Hulk Hogan" even when he won his first title in 1984.

I think the legal problem is that, even though it's clear they're two different characters, WWE has paying Marvel for the name for so long now, it's not like they can (easily) turn around now and say "oh, we don't think there's any copyright issues here". Or else they never would have worked out the royalty agreement in the first place.

I'm guessing they'll probably come to some sort of settlement agreement.

And didn't WCW, near the bitter end, begin referring to him just as "Hogan"? I remember a WCW book that came out around 2000, where that was his only name throughout the whole thing, as in "Hogan is a multi-time WCW World Champion. Hogan was the leader of the nWo." etc.



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Andouille








Since: 11.12.01
From: Catlin IL

Since last post: 2611 days
Last activity: 2151 days
#18 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.39

It's really, really SIMPLE.

Marvel holds the trademark for the Hulk name and the other varieties mentioned.

WWE wants to continue to use those particular words and phrases to promote a product. BUT, they are trademarked, therefore they HAVE TO PAY to use them.

It's not a question of Marvel being picky. They OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE NAME. Period. It would be AMAZINGLY stupid to just let WWE off the hook financially to use the names any way they wish.

It also, of course, not a question of Marvel inventing the word. If that mattered in the least, there could be a billion different types of magazines named "Time."

Some folks need to get their elbows out of their ears.




"In the sky. Lord, in the sky..."
Tenken347
Knackwurst








Since: 27.2.03
From: Parts Unknown

Since last post: 32 days
Last activity: 15 hours
#19 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.72
It's probably also a matter of Marvel Comics actively and aggressively pursuing their copyright. While they could probably easily settle this matter out of court, Marvel wants to make the arrangements through the proper legal channels so that they are on record defending their rights to the property. I expect this to be pretty much a non-issue that should resolve itself with very little trouble.
I Breastfeed John Madden
Head cheese








Since: 13.4.04
From: Des Moines, IA

Since last post: 3344 days
Last activity: 2950 days
#20 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.17
On a side note, does anyone know if the WW tried to "donate" a sum to the World Wildlife Foundation in order to compensate for the annoying and expensive blurring of the scratch logo?

I would understand not using it for the external packaging, but as for the video, what would be the hang-up?

And why is the block logo fine, but the Attitude one a hot potato?

I'm sure CRZ has the answer, c'mon.
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