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Pastimes : Off Topic - Anything Goes -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ManyMoose who wrote (1812)	6/19/2009 5:17:44 PM
From: TimF	1 Recommendation Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

gocomics.com

To: ManyMoose who wrote (1812)	2/2/2010 2:59:16 PM
From: TimF	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6846

Buttheads We tell our kids to go out and make something of themselves instead of sitting around playing videogames. Then when they do, they’re crushed by lawyers. I wrote about 19-year-old Lauren McClusky, who wanted to raise money for the Special Olympics with concerts she called “McFests.” McDonald’s lawyers descended to block the attempt. All words with the prefix "Mc" obviously belong to them. Now teenager James Winkelmann is getting a taste of the not-very-free market. James started a clothing line called The South Butt, poking fun at wilderness clothing giant The North Face. Even though the only word in common in the names is "The", The North Face didn’t find Winkelmann’s idea funny. ... The North Face has sued 19 year old University of Missouri freshman James Winkelmann for trademark infringement and dilution…. The North Face retained IP lawyers and sued Winkelmann, his small company, as well as the pharmacy that sells South Butt clothing... The North Face said Winkelmann had caused it irreparable harm. Oh, get a grip. With plenty of money for lawyers, The North Face probably thought its legal threat would make the young entrepreneur drop his plans. That’s what usually happens when small entrepeneurs get those terrifying lawsuit letters. But James hired his own lawyer and is fighting back. Even better, he has profited from The North Face’s high-handed actions. The South Butt has gotten the kind of publicity you just can't buy… When the lawsuit went national -- 14 and a half million Google hits and counting -- South Butt went from turning a modest profit of a couple thousand dollars to paying for all four years of Jimmy's college. Let’s hope he can hang onto it. A federal judge has ordered the two companies to try to come to an agreement before an April court date. Whatever the outcome, the message it sends to young people is, starting a business that competes with the big guys will earn you a lawsuit; just keep buying our stuff. stossel.blogs.foxbusiness.com Disclaimer We are not in any fashion related to nor do we want to be confused with The North Face Apparel Corp. or its products sold under "The North Face" brand. If you are unable to discern the difference between a face and a butt, we encourage you to buy North Face products. thesouthbutt.com