Shark Boy files lawsuit
 

Source: PWInsider

In today's Dayton Daily News it is being reported that Dean Roll, who has wrestled for years as "Shark Boy", has filed a lawsuit against a Disney-owned Miramax Film Corp., claiming his "Shark Boy" trademark had been infringed upon. Miramax is releasing a movie on Friday called "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl". Dean Roll filed a lawsuit last Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, OH to protect his interest. Roll trademarked his character name "Shark Boy" five years ago. In the article it stated that, "Roll wants the defendants, including Dimension Films, Troublemaker Studios and others to return any 'money, profits and advantages wrongfully gained' along with triple damages, attorneys' fees and expenses for bringing the action filed by Dayton attorney Thomas J. Intilli."

I laughed so hard when i read this. It was not that long ago when i first saw previews for this movie and i thought of Shark Boy the wrestler going around as a super hero in a kids movie.

:rofl:

I KNEW this was coming.

Cincinnati. That's where I live! I think I actually met Shark Boy without the mask once, but there was no way of telling for sure.

Anyway, this is about as trivial and frivolous as Spike Lee filing a law suit against Spike TV. Nobody's going to see that movie expecting to see Shark Boy the wrestler, so there will be no such thing as 'money, profits, and advantages wrongfully gained'.

When I clicked on this thread, a Shark Boy and Lava Girl promo startedon TV. :|

Anyway, he's got a case.

lol that's the first thing that came to mind when i heard the title of this movie

omg thats liek so frek-e kk

I'm guessing an out of court settlemnt. :y:

Hurricane should use his powers and sue someone too. Did Denzel have a movie called "The Hurricane"?

** STAY IN THE BACK! THERE'S A LAWSUIT COMING THROUGH! **

This is fucking ridiculous..but KK is right..he's got a case...but my whole thing is nowadays, people can just trademark common names and sue people for it. AAA should sue Triple A :roll:

I was sued by jesus.

Hey, As someone who is good with him, and as someone who has a trademark of his own - I'm all for this.

I'd actually e-mailed not too long ago about this, due to the fact that many people I know were saying 'Hey Kayfabe, Is Shark Boy really in the movie?'. I hope that he gets something from it, as there is no sense in trademarking a name to protect yourself if someone else can just change the spelling or arrangement and then use it legally.

Good for him, and as I said before, good luck. He's got mini-Shark mouths to feed.

No moreso than if you published Spider Man comics.

Well, How common is Sharkboy?

While the lawsuit's a touch silly, I support the rights of people to stick up for their intellectual properties, which is why we have copywrite/trademark/patent laws in the first place. Let the courts decide whether or not he's got a legit claim (I think he does), and whether it affects him (As silly as it sounds, it might...)

That's the same thinking that got the WWF sued. :shifty:

Seriously, I don't doubt that they didn't know about Shark Boy. Taking simple words or objects and adding 'boy', 'girl', 'man', etc. to them is how super hero creators work. Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Super Man, etc.

Everyone has this idea that you can just use 'Toys Are Us', etc. as a name.

It doesn't matter if it's spelled different, or if it's changed up a bit - like the late Rob Lewis would say, "the name's the same". Either way, my friend Shark Boy is far better than the movie will be - so :foc: them.

You know what is funny about the whole thing though, you'd think that Miramax would have looked into this before doing the film.

it's based on stories that Robert Rodriguez wrote for his kids years ago. I don't think he examined the registry of names before he wrote them.

Granted he should have before he started filming, but what the hell.

Yes, and Stan Lee has tossed potential names based on Trademar infringement before.

When you create a name, it's YOUR responsibility to ensure that you're not swimming in someone else's pond. Ignorance is not an excuse (I found the results within a minute of logging on to the patent dept. site). These guys have a rather large budget which should in part be dedicated to paying for the internet that geeky little intern monkey uses to research the trademark.

Yeah, when I first saw the commercials for that movie I was like "They stole Shark Boy's gimmick!"

Exactly what I was thinking. Exactly.

yea if he trademarked it he is in the money disney does not have a case

Who the fuck is Shark Boy? Yeah exactly.

Personally he's whining over nothing here. Haven't there been movies with the name Hitman? Bret had that name made his own..he doesnt whine.
The hulk and hulk..so many I could go with here.

People will file lawsuits over anything these days, and I have to ask in the end..is it all worth it? Who cares?

Ah well, I guess sharky needs some dough. Couldnt make it in the business well enough, so leech off disney. He's like a blonde bimbo going after the sports athlete, never working, but spending all his money.

LMAO @ thread

Sharkboy (wrestler) was the first thing I thought of when I heard about movie

I'm going to make "You're Fired" t-shirts and give them away to the homeless.

As far as The Incredible Hulk and Hulk Hogan go - there's an arrangement on the usage of the name, so that explains that. With 'Hitman' - it is a common word / phrase, that is like 'Sting' the wrestler, and 'Sting' the musician. Like Randy Savage, The Village People once had a "Macho Man". :shifty:

With Shark Boy, it's not exactly a common phrase. This is really the first big usage of this name other than by 'Shark Boy' himself. 'Shark Boy' is a rather distinctive name - like Superman or Spongebob Squarepants.

As far as that goes, I highly doubt that. He makes quite a good living taking bookings alone, not counting the fact that his BPW / Shark Boy DVD's sell a fair amount - and his shirts and masks are almost always selling out. Couple that with his TNA deal, and the fact that he's coming out as an action figure form in the not too distant future - and he makes a good deal for himself on the business. Probably more than a majority of the independent guys do.

If Miramax loses / settles, it's their own fault - as KK said, they should have researched it and not left themselves open for something like this.

I hope he wins based solely on the fact that I'm tired of these retarded kids movies.

Spykids.
Spykids 2.
Spykids 3...D.
Baby Geniuses 2.

It's very, very possible to make movies that are good for kids but not obnoxious for...non-kids. Take a tip from Pixar, dammit. I'm ranting.

He has a case, but the thing is..christ, why does he even give a fucking shit so much?

Make money money, make money money money.

What a mongerer.

I hate sharkboy. :n:

Oh well.

:shifty:

Marvel successfully sued WWF for having a wrestler called "The Incredible Hulk Hogan" back in the day. For years they had to show the disclaimer that "Hulk" was copright to Marvel.

Spoken like someone who's never had to protect and intellectual property.

IF he doesn't defend it here, he essentially LOSES his trademarks in a court of law.

In fact, there was a series of big articles dealing with them suing Marvel to extend the licensing so they could do WWE 24/7 with Hulk Hogan. WCW folks have said it was the reason they switched to Hollyood Hogan.

This isn't secret info.

Further, Bret's trademarks extend only to the specific name "Bret 'the Hitman' Hart." Shitty exampels from someone talking out of his ass.

:heart:

It isn't talking out the ass KK. It's typing through the fingers. God damn.

Secondly, my main point above all is he'll lose his trademarks..but why does he really give a shit? It's fucking sharkboy, ya see where I'm going here.

How profitable is he exactly, through that gimmick? I'll wager not that high. This film is perhaps the best thing that ever could have happened to him, financially speaking of course. He has a case, it's just such a laughable one, imho. Get it? If not, post no further.

Yes, And it's face first into a wall. I know you're an attention whore, probably being contrary just so you can get people to respond to you, but your argument is pointless.

It's only Shark Boy, but Hell, if I had an action figure coming out, and might lose income because I didn't challenge a movie, I'd do it too.

But hey, just because it's probably more money than you'll see in a lifetime, doesn't mean it's significant.

I was beat to the punch on that one... Yeah, that's what I wanted to say.
Maybe Shark Boy should just bite Lava Girl on the ass.

Hey, can Jim Henson's company sue Jericho's band?

You hate him?For him wanting to make money off of a big company that would do exactly the samething if it were the other way around?Yeah okay,whatever. :roll:

I don't know this wrestler well myself, only seen him in a match once. But good luck to him.

There's a character named Fozzy? Oh right... the bear. :$

Depends on the term.

And whether or not they've come to an agreement already.

For example:

Gangrel: The WWF/E had a deal with White Wolf Entertainment. They could not sue unless their terms of agreement were violated.

World Wildlife...The WWF and WWE had a deal which was primarily a good faith agreement. When good faith was violated, they regained the right to sue.

I don't know if Fozzy specifically is trademarked by the Hensons.

Naw. It's because Zen only likes Canadian wrestlers.

...I think it's the bear.

IT is the bear.

Greg: "Dave, is that grizzled, unkempt man using his shirt as a way of saying that I'm no longer employed and have been terminated from his staff?"

Dave: "Yes, Greg, I believe that's what that phrase means."

Greg: "....but....it's not real, is it? I've worked up the street for five years now, and I've never seen that man before in my life."

Dave: "No, Greg, I don't think he works with you in the office building up the street. I believe he's terminating your position on the sidewalk."

Greg: "Really? Can he do that?"

Dave: "I'm sure he can. The man pretty much lives in that trash can over there. If the street had a boss, I'm sure it'd be him."

Greg: "I'm not so sure. Maybe we should ask him."

*Greg and Dave walk up to the homeless man*

Greg: "Sir, do you have a position of authority over the sidewalk, and if so, have you just terminated my position from the sidewalk?

Homeless man: "LAST NIGHT I PEED IN A SHOE! :drool: "

Dave: "Ah. See, your position is safe. His attire must have been a novelty."

Greg: "Hmm.....perhaps.... :shifty: "

Exactly. You cant use names which even sound like ones already trademarked.

Say if you named a shop "See you later" some douche down the road cant open one up being called "C U L8er" due it sound too much like the one before.

Good luck to him :y:

I hate him because he sucks. And if I only liked Canadian wrestlers, I would be within reason to do so, as they fucking kick serious ass in a ring.

Sharkboy sucks. This is not open to debate.

Oh look. It's Lara Emily 2.0.

OK, this still makes him a money grubbing whore though.

Also, I am a huge star.

It is not open to debate because it has nothing to do with what were talking about in this thread.

Exactly. Now let's get back on topic here people and try not to get too riled up at differing view points on certain subject matter. One cannot always look at things from the exact same point of view.
I stated an opinion, I have said my piece, you have spoken yours, not only on the matter at hand, but on my very own, and we have settled things.
I appreciate your opinions.

You stated an opinion but you didn't say why you thought that except it was because he wanted money(even though it is within his rights and the company he is sueing would've done the same), which i thought was pathetic to be honest.

Well now we got it out of the way. We're cool. I'd say it is well within his rights to go after the money. But I think in the end it is kind of trivial.
That is all.

My band is going to be called Gonzo :shifty:

So's whining about it on the internet, but you're still doing it.

I could say the same thing for you when you whine about a certain wrestler, HHH for example. In the end, posting on a message board could be made out to be trivial.
I wasn't whining, just giving my opinion. There is a difference.

You're whining and deriding someone for something you find trivial.

While the same could be argued for all net communication, I wasn't the one who opened the door to the concept of triviality.

Cool. Now that we got that settled, let us move on. I have said my peice.

Piece of shit. :yes:

Naw. I kid.

...Or DO I?

I've been known to talk out of my ass now and then.

Only now and then?All the time is more like it.

Coming from you I'll take that as a mere "I dont know what the fuck I'm talking about" remark, from a douche who is looking for some online drama.


I know my shit buddy.

Since you talk out of your ass alot, i think you should know shit pretty well.

Well I have to say I feel like absolute shit right now, what with this cold and all, but I know shit so well I can also identify it well enough, and you are definitely a shit buddy.

You are a large steaming pile of shit.

Ya know, if KK had not of thought I was talking out of my ass, and then proceeded to call me out on it, you wouldn't have even thought it.
You are such a sheep.

Er. whatever mate. Ive always thought of you as one of those who talk alot of shit, your that fan of viscera arent you? The fact that you think he's the greatest wrestler alive, has always made me think of you as a 'large steaming pile of shit'. Amazingly, that's what Viscera is to.

Oh but continue to call me a sheep if you want, because you've made your mind up so nothing can really change it. Notice i don't always agree with what KK says, however just because im not on your side you continue to cry that i'm a sheep, you seriously sound like a 12 year old kid.

I used to knock sheep too, but if the majority of people in this world were NOT sheep, who would we have to exploit?

Don'tknock sheep, Zen.

Zen, I'm getting the same thing in the other thread. You are the man and you know it. Forget about these "other" posts. They have nothing on you.

I continue to cry that you're a sheep? Not really dude, I just mentioned it for the first time in my above post. I gave my reasons as to why I thought this whole lawsuit was sort of trivial. KK brought up points as to why they shouldnt be looked at that way. You then started babbling.

I guess my "love" of the man they call big vis automatically makes me a bonafide shit talker. That's some fucked up logic right there.

It just kinda shows me that your not very knowledgeable on wrestling.And btw, you got pissed off from what was infact a sarcastic comment in the first place.

LOL, Talk about being a sheep. :lol:

My knowledge of wrestling is just fine buddy.

And the funny thing is, right now you're talking out of your ass, seeing as how you have no idea just why it is I praise Vis in the first place.
Hence quotations on my "love" for big vis.

And btw, a guy can like a shit wrestler and yet still appreciate and/or understand what there is to get about wrestling.

Your right-i have no idea why it is. I know your not just calling him your favourite because he was 'flavour of the month' last month, so it cant be because of his current gimmick, so other than that, i really can't work out why it is. So what if he can do a spinning wheel kick? I would be more impressed if he did a few more moves.

you have confused "sheep" with superstars, which me and Zen are.

LC has it right.

Also, it's called a "spinning heel kick". Gawd, you need to go back and hit the books kid. You're wrestling knowledge is deplorable. :kiss:

OH MY GOD A TYPO. I must have no knowledge of wrestling whatsoever because of a typo!

Apparently you're the one who isn't very knowledgable with wrestling.

Shark Boy is a way better worker than you made him out to be.

Ok if you say so. By the way it is funny how a few light hearted comments can annoy people so easily on here, guess thats wahts wrong with the net i guess.

:lol: You just dont get it do you?

Dance for me.

Watch out! Another kid who thinks he knows exactly what's wrong with the internet. :eek:

Everyone just stop posting and read what he has to say.

It seems like you don't get it to be honest. You do know all this time i have been sarcastic?Same with my argument with LC, yet you both get so pissed off too easily. i find it funny.

we're did I get pissed off?

I'm not pissed at all. I'm not flying off the handle here dude. If you were in fact being sarcastic, it was very well veiled. But I kinda doubt it, as your sarcasm was coming across as rather confrontational anyways, and really didn't make too much sense.

In fact, you have been misreading my sarcasm for irritation as well.

Well that's exactly what i mean, sarcasm doesn't come off on the net, guess i'm just a good actor to.;) Maybe those emoticon things should've been used. I think i made perfect sense though.

So you do believe LC and I are both huge stars then?

No i don't, i'm better than both of you!

That would put you in some stratospheric category then, for it is indeed true that we are both huge stars.

I wonder, If I stuck a needle in your head, would it pop?

Actually yeah you guys are huge stars, ill give you that, just not as huge a star as me. :yes:

Not that I don't like petty bickering back-and-forth, cause god knows I do! (That's why I come to TPWW Forums :D ), but has anyone heard anything more on the actual topic at hand here?

Yes. Now you've got it.

Now get off the internet, it's not for discussion. It's for flaming people by calling them faggots and peddling cheap porn.

I don't think there's been any news.

I'm curious as to how long the suit was filed. This seems like something he'd have done a while back, and it seems odd that we only hear about it before their opening weekend.

And yet, it's also at the top of the notices on Shark Boy's own front page.

I have this theory that TL is really Ferocious. It would make so much sense...