March 20, 2006

In September 2005, Neil Gaiman discovered a demonic tomato in his garden. Sensibly enough he decided to make evil salsa out of it. Website Tomatoes Are Evil heard about Neil's evil fruit and linked to it as an example of a vicious killer tomato. Now Neil is being threatened with possible legal action by Branfman and Associates [warning: embedded music(!)] on behalf of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, who claim Neil has violated their trademark by linking to them from Tomatoes Are Evil. Except, uh, Neil doesn't run Tomatoes Are Evil, and has not linked to anything to do with AotKT.

Summary: trademark lawyers are incompetent and/or greedy. This particular law firm has been caught making frivolous claims in the past. The particular lawyer in this instance, Mark Reichenthal, is also legal counsel for Blizzard's StarCraft as well as the X For Dummies books. All the above via Neil's syndicated LJ feed.

posted by tracicle 18 years ago
  • This whole situation is plainly rediculous. Hopefully the US legal system will eventually see the fallacy of this and fix the situation. Then again, the US legal system isn't know for it's sound thinking......
  • There's not much else that can be said, is there? But if nothing else it'll be entertaining seeing what Neil will have to say if there is any further correspondence from Reichenthal.
  • Mmmm US Legal system and sound thinking - right up there for oxymorons with military intelligence really........
  • This whole situation is plainly rediculous. Absolutely. There isn't a plant in the world with a sunnier, nicer nature than the ol' tomato.
  • 'Tis enough to make a fellow see red.
  • I grow loads of toms. Eat the bastids too. Fresh = best!
  • Organic = fantastic!
  • Branfman & Associates may be bastards, but they've got the best embedded music ever.
  • There isn't a plant in the world with a sunnier, nicer nature than the ol' tomato. Marijuana. and star anise.
  • *ahem* Pineapple?! Sheesh, how quickly they forget!
  • I don't want to be exposed to star anise.
  • Who among us is not a tomato killer? Can they sue us all?
  • We won't be sueted! Although pursueted somewhat by ravening and relentless fruits that go disguised as harmless vegetables -- but soft, lest vampire pumpkins hear, and do it.
  • Leave the tomato alone! Damn lawyers.
  • how low as people do we dare to stoop, making young broccolis bleed in the soup untie your beans, uncage your tomatoes let potted plants free, don't mash that potato oh spare the spud! Eat a cow instead! I've heard the screams of the vegetables (scream, scream, scream) watching their skins being peeled (fates in the stir-fry are sealed) grated and steamed with no mercy (you fat gourmet slob) how do you think that feels (leave them out in the field) Carrot juice constitutes murder (V8's genocide) greenhouses prisons for slaves (yes, your composts are graves) it's time to stop all this gardening (take up macrame)