The Fox Television Network yesterday sent a series of "cease and desist" orders to web sites, corporations, and individuals whom it believes are infringing on valuable trademarks associated with its wildly popular television show "The X-Files."
Fox, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdock's News Corporation, has jealously guarded its intellectual property, frequently going after web sites set up by fans of "The Simpsons" and other shows. These sites often contains pictures, sound, and video clips digitized by adoring fans.
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This time, however, Fox is going one step further, claiming that it, in effect, owns the letter 'X,' at least when it is used in some form of media presentation. In addition to fan sites, the network sent "cease and desist" orders to Marvel Comics' for its "X-Men" characters, despite the fact that the comic predates the "X-Files" television show by decades; to DC Comics, owner of the Superman character, for use of the term "X-ray vision"; and to the famed web site portal "Excite." "We own the letter 'X' lock, stock, and barrel," claimed one Fox lawyer, "and we will vigorously defend our rights." A spokesman claimed the network would make allowances for educational purposes only, such as when the letter is used in a bona fide public school to teach children the alphabet. Meanwhile, Tandy Corporation continued its court battle claiming ownership of the word "Shack" as part of its chain of "Radio Shack" stores, demanding that various 'mom and pop' businesses such as the "Love Shack" and the "Software Shack" drop the word from their titles, or face the wrath of the company's lawyers. And "Toys R Us" moved forward with its legal claim that the letter "R" cannot be used in the name of any retail store without infringing on theircopyrighted trademark. Stores potentially affected include "Brides-R-Us," "Nannies R Us," and "Apartments-R-Us." |