*NEWS Wow* Trademark holder sues Pittsburgh video store over Ninja Turtles mural

*VaughnMichael* · 05-02-2007, 03:37 PM

Cowabunga, dude!
A video store owner is being sued by the company that holds the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trademark because he painted a mural with similar turtles on his store and used the images in advertising fliers.

Mirage Studios Inc. of Northampton, Mass., which owns the trademark, filed the suit Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh.

Milton Barr, 20, who operates two MIB Ninja Entertainment Stores in Pittsburgh, said the suit is an example of a big company picking on a little guy.

"Under the First Amendment, I have the right to paint whatever I want, as long as I don't make money off it," Barr said.

But University of Pittsburgh law professor Michael Madison said that people cannot use images if they are likely to be confused with those under trademark.

"There is an idea of a free speech defense, but it's very narrow, and it almost never applies when you're using a trademark to advance your business," Madison said.

Barr said he believed it was OK to use some version of the turtle images, as long as they were somewhat different from the originals.
FROM THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
CLICK HERE IF YA DON'T BELIEVE ME

WHAT I THINK: So wow I can't say that I'm shocked I'm actully visiting pittsburgh,p.a. right now so lets hope they didn't take it down yet because this thing was beautiful! Seriously illegal or not it was of the old toon tmnt, shredder, krang, and others.
I agree with the the law on this one this guy really is trying to draw in attention via the TMNT beautiful art or not.
And if the guy really knew anything he'd know that Mirage isn't a Big Company they're just as much the little guy as anyone else.

05-02-2007, 03:37 PM	#1
VaughnMichael I'm Baaaaaaccck! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,833	NEWS Wow Trademark holder sues Pittsburgh video store over Ninja Turtles mural Cowabunga, dude! A video store owner is being sued by the company that holds the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trademark because he painted a mural with similar turtles on his store and used the images in advertising fliers. Mirage Studios Inc. of Northampton, Mass., which owns the trademark, filed the suit Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh. Milton Barr, 20, who operates two MIB Ninja Entertainment Stores in Pittsburgh, said the suit is an example of a big company picking on a little guy. "Under the First Amendment, I have the right to paint whatever I want, as long as I don't make money off it," Barr said. But University of Pittsburgh law professor Michael Madison said that people cannot use images if they are likely to be confused with those under trademark. "There is an idea of a free speech defense, but it's very narrow, and it almost never applies when you're using a trademark to advance your business," Madison said. Barr said he believed it was OK to use some version of the turtle images, as long as they were somewhat different from the originals. FROM THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE CLICK HERE IF YA DON'T BELIEVE ME WHAT I THINK: So wow I can't say that I'm shocked I'm actully visiting pittsburgh,p.a. right now so lets hope they didn't take it down yet because this thing was beautiful! Seriously illegal or not it was of the old toon tmnt, shredder, krang, and others. I agree with the the law on this one this guy really is trying to draw in attention via the TMNT beautiful art or not. And if the guy really knew anything he'd know that Mirage isn't a Big Company they're just as much the little guy as anyone else. Last edited by VaughnMichael; 05-02-2007 at 03:44 PM.