Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Zoltan! who wrote (449205)	8/27/2003 9:08:26 PM
From: SecularBull	Respond to of 769670

Seems to be the devout 35% (as low as 25%) liberal base? ~SB~

To: Zoltan! who wrote (449205)	8/27/2003 9:12:55 PM
From: sylvester80	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

The LA times was bogus but the Fox news was not?? ROTFLMAO. I suggest you better ask Al Franken about who's bogus. LMAO! NEWS: Fox News Blocked In Suit Against Al Franken's Book; Lawsuit called bogus [ed: LOL. Fox News is now the laughing stock of the world. Many thanks to the Fox idiots for the free publicity of Al Franken's book. For sure, them Fox News repuke neoNAZIs are dumb as dirt... LOL] nynewsday.com. By Patricia Hurtado STAFF WRITER August 22, 2003, 9:29 PM EDT In a scathing opinion, a Manhattan federal judge denied a request by Fox News to block sales of a book by liberal humorist Al Franken that satirizes the network's motto, "Fair and Balanced." "There are hard cases and there are easy cases," U.S. District Judge Denny Chin told Fox's lawyers Friday. "This is an easy case in my view and wholly without merit, both factually and legally." Lawyers for the network filed suit earlier this month seeking a preliminary injunction against the sale of the book, which hit stores Thursday. They argued that the title of Franken's book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," infringed on the network's trademarked motto and could mislead some into believing that the book was endorsed by Fox. At a hearing Friday, Dory Hanswirth argued that consumers would see a photo of Fox TV pundit Bill O'Reilly on Franken's book cover and be confused. "It's a deadly serious cover, and it's using Fox News to sell itself," she said. Chin appeared skeptical of her argument, interrupting her to say, "The president and vice president are also on the cover, are they not? Is someone going to think they're also affiliated with Fox?" "Mr. Franken thinks they are," Hanswirth retorted. Franken's lawyer, Floyd Abrams, argued that no consumer could possibly be duped into thinking that Fox was somehow endorsing the book. "There is absolutely no way that any person not completely dense would be confused by this cover and think that Fox was accusing Bill O'Reilly of being a liar," he said. Chin agreed and after a brief recess told Fox that he viewed Franken's book as a satire and social commentary protected by the First Amendment. "I don't know if Fox is arguing that its viewers are less sophisticated than buyers of Mr. Franken's book," he added dryly. He also called the trademarked slogan "weak" or "invalid" because it is a phrase often used by journalists. "Parody is a form of artistic expression protected by the First Amendment and the keystone of parody is imitation," the judge said. "It is ironic that a media company, which should be seeking to protect the First Amendment, is seeking to undermine it by claiming a monopoly on the phrase, 'Fair and Balanced.'" After the ruling, Franken thanked Fox, saying the lawsuit's publicity had boosted sales. "I'd like to thank Fox's lawyers for filing one of the stupidest briefs I've ever seen in my life," he told The Associated Press. Paul Schur, a Fox spokesman, said the network was "considering its options" on whether to pursue the case. "We don't care if it's Al Franken, Al Lewis or 'Weird Al' Yankovic," he said. "We're here to protect our trademark and our talent."