Re: Entercom demands shutdown of Howie fan site

[Shawn Mamros <mamros@MIT.EDU>]

>Not the first time a network or station has demanded
>a fan site be shut down. Many dedicated fans of
>Fox shows like "the Simpsons" and "The X-Files" put
>up well-done fan sites only to be threatened with
>legal action, etc. If the sites clearly say
>"unofficial", what is the harm?

Two words: trademark law.  If the holder of a trademark does not
"defend" themselves against ALL unauthorized uses of that trademark,
then they can lose it.

One can argue that it's led to a bit of corporate paranoia, and set
up a number of "Goliath vs. David" battles like that.  Unfortunately,
enough companies have lost trademarks over the years (did you know
"Aspirin" used to be a trademark of the Bayer Corporation?  note the
key words "used to be") to somewhat justify the paranoia.

-Shawn Mamros
E-mail to: mamros@mit.edu